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SOUTH PARIS –The staff at the Family Birthplace is urging parents, caregivers and grandparents to make sure their child safety seats are properly installed. A car seat safety event will be held Saturday, May 13, at Oxford Hills High School (front parking lot) between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be available to provide free hands-on seat inspections.
“It’s the responsibility of every single parent, caregiver or anyone who transports children in their vehicle to make sure their passengers are safely restrained – every trip, every time,” said Carol Welsh RN, Perinatal Outreach Coordinator for Stephens Memorial Hospitals Family Birthplace. “When it comes to the safety of a child there is no room for mistakes.”
“Car seats, when installed correctly and used, are extremely effective in saving children’s lives, Welsh stated. “Proper use of a car seat reduces the risk of death by as much as 71 percent for infants. However, car seats are complicated to install and use and there are many models to choose from. Even the most conscientious of parents may make mistakes. It has been found that nine out of ten car seats are not installed or used correctly, and that only five percent of children who should use a booster seat actually do.”
Stephens Memorial Hospital is one of several car seat distribution sites in the state of Maine. As a distribution site we are authorized to provide car seats and boosters to families at no cost if they meet the State financial requirements. Distributions are done by appointment only by contacting our Perinatal Outreach Coordinator Carol Welsh.
To participate in the free car seat inspection, parents, caregivers and grandparents should stop by Oxford Hills High School Saturday, May 13, to ensure their child’s safety seats are properly installed; compatible with their vehicle; haven’t been subject to a recall; and are the appropriate seat for the child. It is not necessary for you to have the child with you, but if possible, it is best to bring them. For more information about the event or for information on car seat safety, please contact Carol Welsh at 207-743-1562 x6955.
Stephens Memorial Hospital is a Leapfrog 2016 Top Rural Hospital and is a member of MaineHealth. Visit Western Maine Health on the Internet at www.wmhcc.org or follow us at Facebook.com/StephensMemorialME.
