Police offer child car seat checks at Healthy Family FunFest

SOUTHINGTON – Vehicular accidents are the leading cause of accidental death for children up to age 14. By wearing seat belts and buckling children into age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats, people can reduce the risk of serious injury and death by half, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most parents and caregivers use child safety seats for their young passengers. However, only one in five seats is installed correctly, according to statistics.

Southington police have often seen incorrectly installed car safety seats, which could lead to a malfunction or injury in an accident. To ensure the safety of the youngest citizens, Southington police officers will be providing free checks of car seats at Healthy Family FunFest, the area’s most popular health and wellness event. The festival will be held Sunday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Aqua Turf Club, 556 Mulberry St., in the Plantsville section of Southington.

Police officers who are certified Child Passenger Safety technicians will inspect vehicles outside the far left portico. Technicians will verify that there are no recalls on the particular child seat; show parents how to properly install the seats; and how to fit the restraint system to their child. Educational information will also be available.

Connecticut law requires that all children should be transported in the appropriate child restraint device until they reach the age of 8 and 60 pounds. Children should ride in the back seat until they are 13 years old.

Healthy Family FunFest, celebrating its 11th year, features Hartford HealthCare health professionals representing dozens of specialties, resources and interactive wellness activities for people of all ages. Child-friendly activities will have a superhero theme in the Wagon Room courtesy of Southington-Cheshire YMCA, youngsters will be able to meet firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians while sitting in the vehicles; select a free book from the Southington Library table; have eye screenings with the Lions Club; and even learn CPR.

Healthy Family FunFest’s premiere sponsor is the Bradley H. Barnes & Leila U. Barnes Memorial Trust at Main Street Community Foundation. Team player sponsors are the Aria Medical Aesthetics and Dental Group of Meriden-Wallingford. The event is presented by Hartford HealthCare and the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for Southington Bread for Life.

For the latest information, visit www.healthfamilyfunfest.org; Healthy Family FunFest on Facebook; or call the coordinator at 860.378.1268.