In an effort to strengthen local child passenger safety education efforts, Safe Kids West Michigan recently hosted a National Child Passenger Safety Technician course in Rothbury. CPS Technicians are trained to provide personalized instruction about how to properly install a car seat in a vehicle, as well as how to properly secure a child in the car seat.
Sixteen West Michigan community members successfully obtained Child Passenger Safety Technician status, including students from Pentwater Police Department, Muskegon Police Department, Michigan State Police, Mercy Health Muskegon, Ludington Police Department, Mason County Sheriff Office, Muskegon County Sheriff Office, Norton Shore Police Department, and Roosevelt Park Police Department.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to children in the United States. Correctly used, child safety seats could reduce the risk of death by as much as seventy-one percent. But children aren't protected unless they are properly restrained.
"The purpose of the Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification course is to train technicians to educate parents and caregivers on the proper use and selection of car seats and booster seats,” said Holly Alway, Safe Kids West Michigan coordinator.
“It may seem like you need an engineering degree to figure out which child safety seat is best for your child, but with the addition of sixteen new CPS technicians, help is readily available in West Michigan. CPS technicians are available to help you pick the right seat for your child’s age, weight, height, and developmental stage, and use the seat properly,” said Alway.
For West Michigan parents and caregivers who wish assistance with properly installing their child's car seat, contact the Car Seat Hotline at 231-672-3968 to schedule an appointment. Instruction is available in English and Spanish.
"Most car seat checks take less than thirty minutes. If you have any questions or concerns about your car seats, give us a call. Thirty minutes is a small price to bear for your child’s safety and well-being,” added Alway.
Source: Mercy Health Muskegon Photo: stock.xchng
