To Assist Parents and Caregivers to “Find the Right Car Seat for Their Child”

Erie County, NY –Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns will be hosting a Car Seat Safety Inspection on Saturday, June 19th.  This free event will be held at the Eastern Hills Mall, 4545 Transit Road, Clarence (in the front parking lot, under the marquee) from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  The mall is also home to a newly relocated Erie County Auto Bureau.

“Safety studies have shown that an estimated 30% of children continue to ride unrestrained and 80% of all car seats are used incorrectly,” said County Clerk Kearns. “I am pleased to sponsor this event. along with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, to provide lifesaving guidance to both parents and caregivers on proper child safety restraints and installation.”

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to examine child car seats and offer advice and instruction on the proper use, installation, and age/size appropriateness.  Information on car seat safety recalls will also be available.

New York State law requires all children to be secured in a federally approved child safety seat while riding in a motor vehicle, until they reach their 8th birthday. Since 2019, all children under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Children under thirteen (13) years of age must always ride in the back seat of any passenger car. Additionally, effective November 1, 2020, all motor vehicle passengers age sixteen (16) and older must be restrained by a seat belt.

“According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, when installed properly, child safety seats can reduce fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddler ages 1-4,” stated Kearns. “Our goal is to ensure all families know their children are safe and secure when riding in any vehicle.”

For more information on this event, please contact the Erie County Clerk’s Office at 858-8865 or by e-mail at ErieCountyClerkOffice@erie.gov.

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