Those who have questions about their child safety seat are in luck today, because the Prince William Dept. of Fire and Rescue will be providing free seat safety checks in Bristow.
Residents can bring their child’s car seat, along with their car, to the Bristow fire station, located at 9405 Devlins Grove Place, from 1 until 4 p.m.
The safety checks are a coordinated effort with the Prince William County Safe Kids Coalition, whose mission is to reduce the number of child deaths in Prince William, said Kim Hylander, Prince William Fire and Rescue spokeswoman.
This is the county’s first coordinated child safety seat check of the year.
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The center estimates more than 1,300 children were killed in auto accidents across the country in 2006. More than 180,000 were injured in auto accidents that year.
Parents can help protect their children by making sure those under age 12 are buckled into their seat, securely, each time they ride in the car, the CDC said.
They are also encouraged to read the instruction manual which came with the child safety seat.
A recent study said more than 73 percent of the 3,500 parents that were observed used the restraining device improperly, according to the center.
Parents can also send their car seat registration card into the manufacturer to receive information in the event there is a recall.
Information about recalls is also made available from the National Highway Safety Administration, by calling 1-888-327-4236.
The center also added parents should replace any child safety seat that has been involved in an accident.
More information about the safe use of child car restraints is available from NHTSA’s Web site.
Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.
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