Jackson Police, State Health Team Offer Free Car Seat Check Nov. 5; Appointments Required

JACKSON, Ala. — Parents and caregivers in Jackson can make sure their children are riding safely when the Jackson Police Department and the Alabama Department of Public Health’s child passenger safety team host a free car seat check on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect car seats, confirm that they are installed correctly and answer questions from families about keeping children safe on the road. The service is free, but appointments are required and availability is limited, so families who want a slot are encouraged to call ahead.

Free car seat check details

• What: Free car seat inspections by certified child passenger safety technicians
• When: Thursday, Nov. 5
• Hosts: Jackson Police Department and the Alabama Department of Public Health child passenger safety team
• Cost: Free
• Appointments: Required; space is limited. Contact the Jackson Police Department to schedule.

What happens at a car seat inspection

A car seat inspection is a hands-on session, not a quick glance. Technicians typically look at whether the seat is the right type for the child’s age, height and weight, whether it is facing the correct direction, and whether it is anchored firmly in the vehicle using either the seat belt or the vehicle’s lower anchors and tether system.

They also check the harness, making sure the straps sit at the proper height and are snug enough, and that the chest clip is positioned correctly. Technicians can look for recalls, expiration dates and signs of damage, and they often show parents how to install and adjust the seat themselves so they can do it correctly the next time.

The Alabama Department of Public Health says its certified technicians not only check that seats are installed properly but also teach parents how to use and install car seats on their own. Bringing the child and the vehicle the seat is normally used in helps technicians make sure the seat fits both.

Why a free car seat check matters

Car seats save lives, but only when they are used correctly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that nearly half of all car seats are misused in ways that can reduce how well they protect a child in a crash.

Common problems include seats installed too loosely, harness straps that are not tight enough or sit at the wrong height, chest clips placed too low on the child’s stomach, and children moved too early from rear-facing seats to forward-facing seats, or from boosters to adult seat belts.

Many of these mistakes are easy to miss and easy to fix with expert help, which is why safety officials encourage parents to have seats checked, especially after buying a new seat, moving a seat to a different vehicle or when a child is ready to move up to the next stage.

What Alabama law requires

Alabama’s child restraint law sets minimum requirements based on a child’s age and size. Under state law, children must ride:

• Rear-facing in an infant seat or convertible seat until at least age 1 or 20 pounds
• In a forward-facing seat until at least age 5 or 40 pounds
• In a booster seat until age 6
• In a seat belt until age 15

Safety experts stress that the law is a minimum, not a best practice. NHTSA recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible, up to the height or weight limit set by the seat’s manufacturer, then using a forward-facing seat with a harness until the child outgrows it, followed by a booster seat until an adult seat belt fits properly. The agency also recommends that children younger than 13 ride in the back seat.

Is your child ready for a seat belt?

An adult seat belt fits properly when the lap belt lies low across the upper thighs rather than the stomach, and the shoulder belt crosses the middle of the chest and shoulder rather than the neck. The child should be able to sit all the way back against the vehicle seat with knees bent comfortably at the edge of the seat.

Many children do not reach that point until they are about 4 feet 9 inches tall, which often comes well after their sixth birthday. Parents of school-age children who are unsure whether their child still needs a booster can ask technicians during the inspection.

Other options in Clarke County

The Alabama Department of Public Health operates child passenger safety inspection stations around the state where families can schedule a free check. In Clarke County, the Clarke County Health Department at 22600 Highway 84 in Grove Hill is listed as an inspection station and can be reached at 251-946-8012 to set up an appointment.

The department also runs a car seat voucher program designed to help eligible low-income families obtain appropriate child restraints. Families can ask about eligibility through their local health department.

How to prepare for your appointment

• Schedule ahead. Appointments are required and slots are limited.
• Bring the child if possible. Technicians can check how the seat and harness fit the child.
• Bring the vehicle the seat is normally used in. Installation depends on the vehicle’s seats, belts and anchors.
• Bring the manuals. The car seat instruction manual and the vehicle owner’s manual both contain installation information.
• Write down your questions. Technicians are there to help with any child passenger safety concerns.