CTDOT Press Releases
09/15/2023
Connecticut Department of Transportation to Hold Child Seat Checks During Child Passenger Safety Week
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Highway Safety Office is announcing free safety events held for parents, guardians, and caregivers during Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs this year from September 17-23, 2023. At these free events, certified child passenger safety technicians will demonstrate and provide instructions on correctly installing and using the proper car seats.
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 710 children under 13 years of age were killed in passenger vehicles in 2021, and more than 100,000 were injured. In Connecticut in 2021, the last year of verifiable data, one child under 13 years old was killed, and 42 children were injured due to no or improper restraint use in a crash.
“All children are precious, and a parent, guardian, or caregiver’s responsibility is to help keep them safe. Part of that responsibility includes having a car seat installed properly and ensuring the restraints are used correctly every time,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Laoise King. “Every parent or guardian wants their child to be safe, and we know adults do their best to follow the installation instructions. However, we also know car seats can be tricky to install. That’s why we are making sure experts are available to double-check the installation for free so you can have peace of mind.”
The latest research from NHTSA shows that 46% of car seats are misused. Common issues are children being in the wrong type of car seat for their age and size, and car seats being installed improperly, leaving children vulnerable to injury in a crash. In passenger cars, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
At each free event, parents, guardians, and caregivers will learn how to use car seats and install them properly. Technicians will inform parents and caregivers if their children are in the right seats for their ages and sizes, and they will make sure their car seats are installed correctly. They will also explain the importance of registering car seats with the manufacturer so they can be notified if there is a recall.
Child Seat Check-Up events will be held during Child Passenger Safety Week at the following locations:
- Saturday, September 16, 2023, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Griffin Faculty Physician Office, 131 Bridge St., Naugatuck
To book your free appointment, please email ckellet@griffinhealth.org
- Sunday, September 17, 2023, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave., Norwalk
To book your free appointment, please email cwasilewski@norwalkct.org
- Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Bob’s Shopping Plaza, 889 Post Rd., Fairfield
To book your free appointment, please email carseats@ynhh.org by 9 a.m. on 9/18
- Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Griffin Hospital, 4 Mountain St., Derby (behind the hospital)
To book your free appointment, please email ckellet@griffinhealth.org
All events are free and open to the public, but appointments must be made in advance.
Parents, guardians, and caregivers can also visit www.nhtsa.gov/therightseat to learn other tips on car seat safety, watch how-to videos, and sign up for car seat recall notifications.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
860-594-3062
CTDOTMedia@ct.gov
Twitter: @CTDOTOfficial
Facebook: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Share this information on: