Fannin County, Texas -- A Car Seat Checkup Event will be held Thursday, March 8 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 502 N. Center Street (Legend Bank north parking lot) in Bonham.  There will be FREE inspections by Certified Passenger Safety Technicians. A limited number of car seats will be available for eligible participants.

Are your children buckled correctly?  Did you know that 8-out-of-10 car safety seats for children are installed incorrectly? Motor vehicle crashes are the leading killer of children ages one and up, and more than 50% of children killed in crashes are unrestrained.  But parents can take steps to help prevent these tragedies or greatly reduce the risk of serious injuries, by using age-appropriate, child safety seats and keep in children 12 and under properly restrained the backseat of the vehicle.

And remember, children need to be properly restrained on every trip- even those short trips close to home.  Booster seats need to be used for older children who do not fit properly in the car’s lap/shoulder belt.  Children usually fit the average car seat belt when they are around 8 years old, 80 pounds, and approximately 4’9”. 

To be sure you child is riding safely, come to the Car Seat Checkup Event on Thursday, March 8 from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Legend Bank north parking lot at 502 N. Center Street in Bonham.  The event is free and open to the public.  Certified passenger safety technicians will provide a free inspection and a limited number of car seats will be available for those in need.  For more information on the event, contact the Fannin County Extension Office at (903)583-7453.

Don’t take chances with your child’s safety!  Buckle every child in the proper child safety seat or safety belt on every trip!

Source: Passenger Safety Team, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 2005