Coming up Thursday is an event for all parents and caregivers who have questions about or utilize car seats.
A Car Seat Safety event is set for 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, and Hailey Worden and Rebecca Pententler with Regional Office of Education #33 joined Galesburg's Morning News to provide a preview.
It is free, and open to all parents, caregivers, grandparents, and child care providers who use car seats. The event is a walk-up, no-charge service where certified technicians will provide thorough car seat inspections and hands-on assistance with installation.
Car seat issues include:
- Proper Fit: Ensuring the car seat is appropriate for the child's age, height, and weight.
- Expiration Dates: Checking the car seat's expiration date, as car seats have a limited lifespan (generally 6-10 years depending on the manufacturer) due to potential degradation of materials.
- Manufacturer Recalls: Checking for any safety recalls on the car seat model.
- Installation Correctness: Thoroughly inspecting the installation, including removing the car seat to check for issues like twisted straps. They will then work with the caregiver on proper re-installation.