Motor vehicle
crashes are the single largest cause of
child fatalities in the country. Proper
child seat safety can reduce the risk of injury
or death by 70%. Conscientious parents make sure
their children are in child car seats.
However, 80-90% of those seats do not adequately
protect the children riding in them due to
improper installation. Protection can be
compromised in several ways, including:
- The wrong seat is used for the child's
age, weight and height, or for that vehicle.
- A seat isn't installed in the car
correctly.
- A child isn't properly secured in the
seat.
The Lynnwood Police Department offers car
seat installation inspections every Wednesday
from noon to 8pm at the police station. Five
technicians are nationally certified to help
parents and caregivers learn how to safely
install the child seats in their own vehicles.
Appointments generally last 30-45 minutes, since
parent education and involvement is a primary
goal. It is best to have the child present, and
to bring your vehicle owner's manual and child
seat instructions (if you have them).
You may
schedule an appointment by calling 425-670-5710.
Citations will be issued when children are
not restrained in age- and size-appropriate car
seats. The police department will loan videos
and give away literature to help parents
understand the scope of the problem and the
solutions.
For more information or to schedule an
appointment, please call 425-670-5635 or via
e-mail at
 ssessions@ci.lynnwood.wa.us.
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