The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee reminds parents and caregivers that free car seat checks by certified child passenger safety technicians are available statewide during Child Passenger Safety Week. from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Visions Federal Credit Union, 5411 State Highway 12, Norwich.  

NORWICH - The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee reminds parents and caregivers that free car seat checks by certified child passenger safety technicians are available statewide during Child Passenger Safety Week. This national safety awareness week, which began Sunday, September 21, will conclude with 23 coordinated statewide events on Saturday, September 27 as part of National Seat Check Saturday. There will be a child safety seat check from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Visions Federal Credit Union, 5411 State Highway 12, Norwich as well as at many other locations around the state.

 

New York State currently has 2,082 certified technicians and 102 instructors throughout the state who are capable of installing car seats and educating caregivers on proper installation of

seats.  Additionally, nearly 20 CPS technicians will complete the certification process in Albany County on National Seat Check Saturday. 

 

NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “Child Passenger Safety Technicians can help parents and caregivers determine which seat is correct for their children, show them how to correctly install that seat in their vehicle and most importantly, ease their minds in just a few minutes by conducting the inspection. GTSC is proud to support state, local and not-for-profit agencies in offering free car seat inspections at permanent fitting stations and check events throughout the state.” 

 

The events are part of an ongoing initiative funded by the GTSC in which various community partners offer free car seat fittings. The car seat check events will teach participants how to choose an appropriate seat for the child's age and size and how to install the seat correctly. Trained technicians use the model of "Learn, Practice, and Explain" to educate caregivers on how to select a child restraint that will fit their child, fit their vehicle, and be used correctly every time.   

 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around half (46 percent) of car seats are installed incorrectly, yet most parents and caregivers believe they have been installed properly. In addition, vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death among children. Every day in 2023, an average of two children under 14 were killed in crashes, and another 345 were injured in traffic crashes while riding in passenger vehicles.  

 

Some other locations offering free checks on National Seat Check Saturday, September 27 are: 

 Walmart Supercenter, 460 Fairview Avenue, Greenport from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.;

Crossgates Mall Overflow Lot (near JCPenney) 1 Crossgates Mall Road, Guilderland from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.;
 Christian Assembly of God, 175 Port Watson Street, Cortland from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;

Visions Federal Credit Union, 5411 State Highway 12, Norwich from  9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and

 Endicott Fire Department, 224 Madison Avenue, Endicott from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

- Information from Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee