Safe Kids NYC, led by New York City Department of Transportation, is holding a free car-seat checkup event to help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries. This event is held in partnership with Millennium Development and Bergen Beach Youth Organization.
Caregivers can attend the event on Tuesday August 12, 3:00 – 6:00, at Bergen Beach Sports Complex, 2335 Bergen Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. To schedule an appointment, call 212-839-4750, or just Drive-in. Read below about how to prepare for a car seat check-up and what to expect.
How-To-SAFETY is joining NYC DOT for the event to help supplement the efforts in generating awareness about child passenger safety and helping caregivers keep their children safe in the car.
Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1-12 years old. Many times deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of car seats, boosters, and seat belts.
How-To-SAFETY is a NYC based, health and safety education service, specializing in Child Passenger Safety, with car seat fitting locations in Staten Island, NY.
Contact How-To-SAFETY for more information about scheduling a private car seat inspection and installation at Contact@HowToSafety.com.
9 out of 10 car seats are not installed correctly. Find out if yours is!
Get your car seats checked by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.
How to Prepare for the Free Car Seat Check Event
Expecting parents are encouraged to have their car seats checked 2-3 months prior to the baby due date. Don’t wait until the last minute because sometimes babies arrive early! If possible, purchase a new, unused car seat. Read more about buying or borrowing used car seats. If you have not yet purchased a car seat and need some assistance, you can contact us for a consultation.
How to prepare before your appointment:
- Know the following applicable information – before your car seat check-up.
- For every child that rides (or expected to ride) in the vehicle:
- Age, Height, Weight, Any special needs or concerns.
- Torso height, if child will not be present during the seat check. Please sit your child into the car seat and note where the tops of the child’s shoulders are relative to the back of the seat (to know between which harness slots are the shoulders).
- For every child that rides (or expected to ride) in the vehicle:
- If possible, please read the car seat manual and attempt to install the car seat before your appointment.
What to bring to your appointment:
- Your child’s car seat.
- Your child, if possible. It’s best to have your child attend the car seat check to make sure the seat fits the child properly. If you will not be bringing your child with you, please make sure to check the child’s accurate torso height as described above.
- The installation process requires your attention, so having another adult with you to help watch your child can be very helpful.
- Bring both the car seat instruction manual and your vehicle owner’s manual to the appointment, if available.
What to expect during your appointment:
- Please allow approximately 20 minutes to 1 hour for each seat installation.
- You will need to complete a standard form with your contact information.
- Expect instruction and demonstration on how to correctly install your car seat(s). We don’t just install it for you – you will learn how to replicate a proper installation.
- We will ensure you are using the correct seat based on child’s age, weight and height. State laws, Best Practices and manufacturer guidelines will be addressed. Find out more about car seat basics and using the right seat for your child.
- Check the car seat for recalls.
- Talk about next steps in car seat safety, and safety in and around cars.
- Sometimes, car seats and vehicles are not compatible for proper car seat installation in the desired, or any vehicle seating positions. In that event, it is recommended to replace the car seat with a more compatible one, and reschedule the car seat check.