Neighbor News
Police offer free child car seat checks at Healthy Family FunFest
Technicians inspect for recalls, proper installation and proper fitting of restraint system. Feb. 24, 10:30a-3p, Aqua Turf
SOUTHINGTON – Most parents and caregivers use child safety seats for their young passengers. However, only one in five seats is installed correctly, according to statistics. Child safety seats can reduce death due to a car accident by as much as 71 percent and prevent injury but only if they are used correctly, according to Safe Kids Connecticut.
To ensure the safety of the youngest citizens, Southington police officers will be providing free checks of the installation of car seats at Healthy Family FunFest, the area’s most popular health and wellness event. The festival will be held Sunday, Feb. 24, 10:30 a.m. to 3 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 near the Wagon Room (far left) portico. The 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, according to Officer Chad Butler, Southington Police Department community relations officer and Child Passenger Safety technician. To streamline the inspection, police said it is helpful to have the area behind the seat easy to access without having to clean it out at the event. Educational information will also be available.
Find out what's happening in Southingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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 10th year, features health professionals, resources and interactive wellness activities for people of all ages. Featured guests include Cory Myers and Renee DiNino, of iHeartMedia, and Rob Dibble, Southington native, former professional baseball player and sports analyst. Visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for Southington Bread for Life.
Find out what's happening in Southingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Healthy Family FunFest’s premiere sponsor is the Bradley H. Barnes & Leila U. Barnes Memorial Trust at Main Street Community Foundation and the team player sponsor is the Dental Group of Meriden-Wallingford. The event is presented by Hartford HealthCare and the Southington Community YMCA.
For the latest information, visit www.healthfamilyfunfest.org; Healthy Family FunFest on Facebook; or call the coordinator at 860.378.1268.
