Free car seat check event at Sims Library helps ensure child passenger safety
A recent car seat safety event hosted by Nicholas P. Sims Library in Waxahachie was a success, helping families ensure their children travel safely.
In partnership with the Ellis County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M Passenger Safety and KidSafe Initiatives Program, the event provided free car seat inspections and education to local caregivers.
Certified technicians checked 28 car seats, ensuring they were properly installed and appropriate for the child’s age and size. In addition, eight new car seats were distributed to families in need, and four unsafe seats were removed from circulation.
Scenes from the recent free car seat check event at Nicholas P. Sims Library in Waxahachie. Courtesy photo.
“I want to thank our volunteers for all of the help they were to the families that participated in the event, as well as the Sims Library for hosting this event and KBEC for having a remote feature on their radio show,” said Danae Hicks, county extension agent for Family and Community Health. “Without the help of our volunteers who are child passenger safety technicians, we never would have been able to have the impact on our community that we did.
“Car seats are essential for protecting young passengers, but they must be installed and used correctly,” said Hicks. “Events like these help parents and caregivers feel confident that their children are safe on the road.”
The event was part of an ongoing effort to reduce childhood injuries and fatalities in car crashes. Parents and caregivers who missed the event but who still need assistance can contact Hicks at the Ellis County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office for an appointment to check their car seat installation and fit for their children.
“We know that car seats can be confusing, and many parents are not comfortable or confident with their installation,” Hicks said. “Unfortunately, the statistics show that more than three out of four seats are installed improperly. We want to empower the parents of Ellis County to feel confident in their ability to choose the correct seat for their child and to be able to install it correctly every time.”
For more information on future events or child passenger safety resources, visit https://ellis.agrilife.org/ or contact Hicks at 972-825-5175 or danae.hicks@ag.tamu.edu.
