County fire department offers free child safety seat inspections

Sarasota County Fire Department will offer car seat safety inspections beginning in March, rotating each month to different SCFD stations throughout the county to provide convenient service to all portions of the county. 

During the monthly inspections, SCFD Child Passenger Safety Technician-qualified personnel will offer instruction on how to use and install a car seat , and check to make sure seats are installed correctly.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 325 children age 5 and younger were saved by car seats in one year. In passenger cars, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers.

Inspections are free and by appointment only. Appointments are expected to last approximately 30 minutes. Drivers must bring the car seat with them. It is not required that the child be in attendance for the inspection.

To learn more about how to schedule a car seat safety inspection, dial 311. More information on Sarasota County Fire Department programs is available at SCGov.net/fire.

For more information on car seat safety or to register your car seat and booster seat with the car seat manufacturer so you can be notified in the event of a recall, visit Nhtsa.gov/therightseat.