Department of Motor Vehicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday October 4, 2018

Contacts:
Lisa Koumjian
[email protected]
Tim O’Brien
[email protected]

NEW YORK STATE DMV AND THE GOVERNOR’S TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCE FREE CHILD SEAT INSPECTIONS AND ASSISTANCE DURING OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER

Free Inspections Offered in Erie, Niagara, Onondaga, Schenectady and Wyoming Counties

Free Inspections by Appointment Offered Year-Round

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today announced that free child seat inspections are available to parents and caregivers during the months of October, November and December in Erie, Niagara, Onondaga, Schenectady and Wyoming counties. As part of a year-long safety initiative, state and local law enforcement agencies, along with various community safety partners, are offering free inspections by certified child passenger safety technicians.

“When used properly, child safety seats are very effective at reducing the risk of death or injury in a crash,” said Acting GTSC Chair and DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan. "Parents and caregivers should always make sure children are riding in seats that are appropriate for their age and size and are correctly installed. We urge anyone who drives children to take advantage of the free car seat checks and other resources that are available year-round.”

This campaign aims to ensure all parents and caregivers are properly trained to choose an appropriate seat for the child’s age and size, and that they know how to properly install the seat in the safest manner. Trained technicians will use the model of “Learn, Practice, and Explain” to educate each caregiver on how to select a child restraint that will fit their child, fit their vehicle and be used correctly every time. Getting safety information and car seat instructions to parents and caregivers is crucial to saving young lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers in passenger vehicles. 

The following child safety seat checks are scheduled across the state in October, November and December:

CAPITAL REGION

October 11              Child Safety Seat Check - Schenectady County
6:30 p.m - 8:30 p.m.
Thomas Corners Fire Department, 5 Airport Road, Glenville, NY 12302
Agency: Glenville Police Department
Contact: Sgt. B.T. Gillooley at (518) 384-0137 ext. 331

CENTRAL NEW YORK

October 13   Child Safety Seat Check - Onondaga County
9:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m.
Destiny USA - Touch A Truck Event, Parking Lot at Bear & Solar Streets, Syracuse, NY 13204
Agency: Onondaga County Sheriff's Office
Contact: Deputy Katie Kruger - email [email protected]

FINGER LAKES

October 10              Child Safety Seat Check - Wyoming County
5:30 p.m - 9:00 p.m.
Strykersville Fire Company, 594 Minkel Road, Strykersville, NY 14145
Agency: Wyoming County Health Department
Contact: Jillian Calmes at (585) 786-8890

WESTERN NEW YORK

October 6              Child Safety Seat Check - Niagara County
9:30 a.m - 11:30 a.m.
Mt. St. Mary's Hospital, 5300 Military Road, Lewiston, NY 14092
Agency: Catholic Health of Buffalo
Appointment Required
Contact: Health Connections at (716) 706-2112

October 6              Child Safety Seat Check - Erie County
2:30 p.m - 5:30 p.m.
Catholic Health Administration and Training Center, 144 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Agency: Catholic Health of Buffalo
Appointment Required
Contact: Health Connections at (716) 706-2112

October 10              Child Safety Seat Check - Niagara County
4:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m.
Niagara County Public Safety Training Facility, 5574 Niagara Street Extension, Lockport, NY 14095
Agency: Niagara County Sheriff's Office of Traffic Safety
Appointment Required
Contact: Cathleen Davis at (716) 438-3464

November 3              Child Safety Seat Check - Niagara County
9:30 a.m - 11:30 a.m.
Mt. St. Mary's Hospital, 5300 Military Road, Lewiston, NY 14092
Agency: Catholic Health of Buffalo
Appointment Required
Contact: Health Connections at (716) 706-2112

November 3              Child Safety Seat Check - Erie County
2:30 p.m - 5:30 p.m.
Catholic Health Administration and Training Center, 144 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Agency: Catholic Health of Buffalo
Appointment Required
Contact: Health Connections at (716) 706-2112

December 1              Child Safety Seat Check - Niagara County
9:30 a.m - 11:30 a.m.
Mt. St. Mary's Hospital, 5300 Military Road, Lewiston, NY 14092
Agency: Catholic Health of Buffalo
Appointment Required
Contact: Health Connections at (716) 706-2112

December 1              Child Safety Seat Check - Erie County
2:30 p.m - 5:30 p.m.
Catholic Health Administration and Training Center, 144 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Agency: Catholic Health of Buffalo
Appointment Required
Contact: Health Connections at (716) 706-2112

If you cannot attend one of the listed free child car seat inspections, you can make an appointment with a child seat inspection site near you. The above schedule may be subject to changes. Find more information on upcoming child safety seat checks near you.  See ratings on all car seats.

In addition to car seat inspections, parents and caregivers can view a series of videos produced by NHSTA on proper installation on rear-facing and forward-facing car seats, and booster seats. NHTSA also offers information on registering a child safety seat and finding the right car seat based a child’s age and size.

For more information about DMV, visit dmv.ny.gov, or follow the DMV conversation online at Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about GTSC, visit safeny.ny.gov, or follow the GTSC conversation at Facebook and Twitter.

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