photo by Austin Phillips

Melissa Smith fastens her daughter Elizabeth, 2, into her new car seat. The Helena mother was just one of dozens who took advantage of the Alabaster Fire Department's free child safety seat checkpoint Thursday.

Alabaster Fire Department conducts child safety seat checkpoint

By Cassandra Mickens (Contact) | Alabaster Reporter

Published Thursday, July 2, 2009

During the first 30 minutes of Alabaster Fire and Rescue’s child safety seat checkpoint on Thursday, 12 safety seats had been correctly installed in the cars of parents and parents-to-be.

Families stood outside Alabaster Fire Station No. 3 on U.S. 31 as technicians from the Alabaster, Brewton and Green Pond fire departments installed the seats at no cost.

Lt. Jim Golden of the Alabaster Fire Department said the checkpoint is part of a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Course offered by Children’s Health System. The checkpoint served as the technicians’ final assignment after three days of training.

Marie Crew, Alabama Safe Kids coordinator for Children’s Health System, said 80 percent of safety seats are misused nationwide. The partnership between the Alabaster Fire Department and Children’s Health System aims to lower the risk of injuries caused by defective seats.

Before installing the seats, technicians at the checkpoint monitored for visible defects, and made sure the seats had not been recalled.

“We try to get into the community and get the fire departments involved because it’s a natural fit,” Crew said. “This program educates our firefighters and is a great resource for parents.”

Melissa Smith of Helena took advantage of the service for her 2-year-old daughter Elizabeth, who attends Kingwood Christian Child Development Center. Smith said she wanted to make certain Elizabeth travels safely.

“She just moved up to a bigger car seat, and I am not strong enough to get it as tight as I need to,” Smith said. “I knew they could and I trust them.”

People who missed Thursday’s checkpoint can call the fire department to have their safety seat installed, Golden said.

“All we ask is that you make an appointment, and we’ll install the seat and verify to see if it’s installed correctly,” Golden said.

To schedule an appointment, call 621-8752.

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