Modesto Police Department News Release

CHILD SEAT HELP AVAILABLE THIS WEEKEND

STANISLAUS COUNTY-To kick off National Child Passenger Safety Week, which begins on Saturday, September 12, 2009, the Modesto Police Department will combine efforts with a number of Stanislaus County agencies to conduct free child safety seat checks at several area locations.

Based on surveys and studies conducted throughout Stanislaus County, it is estimated that over 90% of child safety seats are installed or used incorrectly. 

Events are scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the following locations and times:

• 9:00 am-12:00 pm – Safeway Supermarket, 3501 Countryside Dr, Turlock

• 9:00 am-12:00 pm – Save Mart Supermarket, 1449 East “F” St, Oakdale

• 1:00 pm-4:00 pm – Orchard Supply Hardware, 2800 Sisk Rd, Modesto

• 1:00 pm-4:00 pm – Save Mart Supermarket, 1035 Sperry Ave, Patterson

Nationally certified car seat technicians from various Stanislaus County law enforcement and fire agencies, the Keep Baby Safe Program, and several other community organizations will be on site to assist parents and caregivers in making sure children are riding in the appropriate seat for their age, weight, and height.  Properly securing a child in a child safety seat can reduce the risk of that child suffering serious injury or death if involved in a traffic collision.

 “We encourage anyone who has not had their child’s car seat checked for proper installation and fit by a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician attend one of these events,” said Community Service Officer Natalie Thomason of the Modesto Police Department’s Traffic Unit and Coordinator for the “Buckle up Stanislaus” project.  “These free events are meant to spread awareness of the issue of improperly used child seats and to help parents make the necessary changes to ensure their child rides safer.”

This car seat checkup event is being conducted as part of the Modesto Police Department’s “Buckle up Stanislaus” grant project, a $139,761 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  The “Buckle up Stanislaus” program is education-based and designed to decrease child passenger injury and death by increasing the proper use of child safety seats throughout Stanislaus County.  The program focuses on educating law enforcement and other emergency services personnel, as well as educating the public on child passenger safety. 

This event is also being sponsored in part by the Stanislaus County Child Passenger Safety Collaborative.

Anyone who is unable to attend one of these events but would like to make an appointment to have a child seat checked may contact the Modesto Police Department at 209-342-9195 to locate the nearest available seat check location.

For information about this news release, contact police spokesperson Sergeant Brian Findlen at (209) 652-1386.