Area Safety Advocates to Host Car Seat Check Events

SIKESTON-Many parents are unaware of the importance of proper use and installation of child passenger safety restraints and related laws. According to 2025 data entered into the National Digital Car Seat Check Form, 69% of car seats in Missouri were found to have some form of misuse during initial installation.

As part of Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 20-26), Cape Girardeau Safe Communities and Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety partners will host free Car Seat Check Events throughout southeast and south-central Missouri. Parents and caregivers with small children can ensure their car seats are installed correctly by visiting an inspection station throughout the area. Event locations include Bloomfield, Caruthersville, Fredericktown, Fruitland, Jackson, Kennett, Marble Hill, Park Hills, Perryville, Ste. Genevieve, Thayer, Van Buren and West Plains.

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will provide education, perform car seat inspections, review expiration dates, discuss car seat installation, usage and car seat recalls. Checks take an average of 30 minutes to complete.

Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children in the United States, but many of these deaths can be prevented. Car seat use reduces the risk of injury in a crash by 71-82% for children, when compared with seat belt use alone. (CDC)

Quick Tips for Families:

Wear your seat belt: Be sure everyone else in the car buckles up, too. When adults wear seat belts, kids use car seats, booster seats and seat belts. Set a good example and buckle up every ride, every time.

Place kids under 13 in a back seat: It's the safest place for them to ride.

Make sure your child is riding safely. Visit a car seat check event to see if you are using your car seat correctly. Common errors include a loose harness, not using the seat belt or LATCH system to properly secure a car seat, failing to correctly use the tether and being unaware of the risks of using a second-hand car seat or booster.

A Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can help you protect your child.

For more information, contact Sarah Tweedy or Rachel Penny at Cape Girardeau Safe Communities, (573)339-6365 or Ashley Metelski at MoDOT, (573)380-9432 or visit www.savemolives.com/mcrs/car-seat-check-event

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