GPD to host car seat clinic at GHS

The Greencastle Police Department will be conducting its annual Car Seat Clinic on Wednesday, September 22 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Greencastle High School, 910 E. Washington Street.

In order for the Greencastle Police Department to be a Permanent Fitting Station for child safety seats, they are required to host a Car Seat Clinic. Not surprising, they have chosen to do this in the middle of Child Passenger Safety Week, September 19-25, which is hosted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA estimates that almost half of child safety seats are not installed properly.  Road injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. However, when in a car accident, a car seat can reduce the risk of infant fatality by 71 percent. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends children remain in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible, preferably 3 years old. They also recommend children under the age of 13 ride in the backseat. For more information on child car seat safety, as well as how to find other car seat check events, go to www.nhtsa.gov/therightseat.

The Greencastle Police Department is partnering with the Greencastle School Corporation this year and will be hosting the event in the student parking lot of the Greencastle High School. GPD will have certified Car Seat Technicians on hand to inspect car seats that are currently being used. They are looking to make sure the child seat fits the child properly, if the child seat is in good working condition, whether or not is on a recall list, if the seat has gone past the expiration date, and whether or not seat is properly and safely installed in the vehicle.

If a problem or defect is discovered with a child seat, the technician can replace the seat. If any has any questions regarding the Car Seat Clinic, they can call 765-653-2925 and ask for Police Chief Tom Sutherlin, Captain Chris Jones, or Officer Angela Taylor.