Erie County Legislator Joseph Lorigo, in partnership with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and West Seneca Police Department, is hosting a free Car Seat Safety Check & Child ID Card Day for families on May 16.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16. Car seats will be checked and properly installed by Sheriff’s Deputies and West Seneca Police Officers in the parking lot behind the West Seneca Library, 1300 Union Road, near Main Street.

“My son is turning a year old and just moved into a toddler car seat. To ensure the seat was installed correctly, I had it checked by a professional. A vast majority of seats aren’t installed properly, which can lead to injury or death. It is critical that parents and caregivers have new car seats installed with the assistance of a professional, if possible, and learn how to properly install it,” said Legislator Lorigo. “The free Car Seat Safety Check Day is a convenient opportunity to get car seats installed and checked without having to make an appointment.”

The West Seneca Police Department recently checked Legislator Lorigo’s car seat, noting that their officers take time to show parents how to properly install them.

“We want parents to understand how to do it. We don’t just install the seats. The actual purpose of this service is to show parents how it’s done, so that they can do it properly so their children are safer inside the vehicle,” said West Seneca Police Captain Edward Baker.

 “The Erie County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to partner with Legislator Lorigo to help parents and guardians learn the proper methods to utilize these life-saving car seats.  When improperly installed, the car seat cannot perform as designed and it may not protect the child from injury.  Every time our Deputies check a car seat and demonstrate the proper installation method is one less incident involving an injury or death to a child because of improper installation,” said Sheriff Timothy B. Howard.

The event will also include Operation Safe Child, a free child ID fingerprinting program sponsored by the Sheriff’s Office that creates an ID card for parents. The card contains the child's name (date of birth, gender, height, weight, hair color, eye color, etc.), and a fingerprint image of both index fingers. The card can be made in less than two minutes and can be easily carried in a wallet or pocketbook. Should the child ever go missing, the card is used by law enforcement to rapidly disseminate information to help locate the child.

The cards are free and will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the West Seneca Library.

Car Seat Safety Check & Child ID Card Day directly connects families with county resources aimed at keeping young children safe. In addition, the library will be holding its annual book safe from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as offering activities for families to enjoy.

“This is going to be a great event where families can learn more about how to protect their kids by utilizing county programs. I want to thank the Sheriff’s Office, West Seneca Police Department and the West Seneca Library for their efforts to bring these great resources directly to families,” Legislator Lorigo added.

For additional information, or to speak with Legislator Lorigo, please contact his Legislative Office at 858-8922; email joseph.lorigo@erie.gov; or visit www.erie.gov/legislature/district10.