The Stillwater Fire Department is conducting free car seat inspections on Tuesday, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Certified child passenger safety technicians will thoroughly check car seats to ensure proper installation and use at SFD headquarters at 1506 S. Main St.
Stillwater Fire Chief Tom Bradley also recognizes the Stillwater Rotary Club’s contribution of $665 to purchase 12 car seats for this event.
“We are grateful for the Stillwater Rotary Club for this donation that will benefit local children and their well-being,” Chief Bradley said. “I am proud that the Stillwater Fire Department and our partners have the opportunity to educate residents about child car seat safety and provide this service.”
There will also be a limited number of car seats available for $10 to qualifying residents. These seats are only available to those who receive government assistance and expecting mothers within two months of delivery.
To purchase one of these car seats, you must provide proof of government assistance and the child must be present. There is a limit of one seat per child and two seats per family.
SFD is partnering with Safe Kids Oklahoma, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis and Oklahoma Highway Safety Office to host this event.
The National Safety Council reported that vehicle collisions inflict 1,346 fatalities in children each year. The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office recorded 952 total vehicle collisions in Stillwater during 2015. This statistic resulted in a total of 2,078 citizens impacted.
Chief Bradley said, “Car seats are a fundamental device that can reduce the risk of injury tremendously, but they have to be used correctly to have a positive effect.”
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration state that 75 percent of child car seats are installed incorrectly. The NHTSA also found that the correct use of vehicle child protection devices reduces risk of serious injury up to 71 percent.
SFD offers free installations and checkups year-round. To schedule a checkup, call Stillwater Fire Administration at 405.372.0516.
If you’re uncertain about the safety of your car seat follow these tips. Make sure children ride in the backseat away from airbags. When implementing a new car seat, read the manual carefully and always fasten the seat tightly.
Oklahoma began enforcing a stricter set of child-passenger regulations in 2015. The new regulations require a booster seat to be used until the age of 8. The law also enforces regulation requiring children of 2 years and younger to be seated in a rear facing car seat. Violation of this law results in a $50 fine, but other costs associated with the violation can increase the total to around $230.
For more information about this event, contact the Stillwater Fire Department Administration Office at 405.742.8308.