Car seat safety clinics adhere to new guidelines

CROMWELL — Experts estimate anywhere from 75 percent to 90 percent of seats are installed or used incorrectly, according to the Cromwell Fire Department, which has partnered with the National Child Passenger Safety Board and Safe Kids Worldwide to implement a child safety seat installation program.

Safe Kids Worldwide, founded in 1988 by Dr. Marty Eichelberger, has seen a 60 percent decrease in the unintentional injury rate among children 19 years and younger, according to the statement.

The state law, enacted in October, placed more requirements on the installation of child safety car seats.

The Cromwell Fire Department provides rescue and EMS services with a considerable percentage of the operations on both state highway Route 9 and Interstate 91 and recognizes the need for injury prevention at the same level as fire prevention, the release said.

Last year, through a presentation by two Cromwell firefighters, Fire Chief Michael Terenzio recognized the need for providing certified child safety car seat installations, according to the department.

Firefighters embraced the idea and attended certification training to conduct installations. They are trained in the installation of new safety seats, inspection of existing safety seats and the instruction of the proper way to secure children in these car seats.

Firefighter Brett Hallden, who spearheaded the effort, also testified at committee hearings to enact the bill, according to the release. The department received a grant to aid its efforts and will provide it to anyone who needs assistance at no charge.

“The newly implemented program is a first for the Cromwell Fire District, and we are excited to add this to our list of community fire safety education and accident injury prevention, including our fire prevention program, smoke detector inspection/installation program and fire extinguisher education,” Terenzio said in the release.

So far, the department has performed over 120 certified child safety car seat installations.

The department has certified personnel to install car seats weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling 860635-6155.

Cromwell police also have certified installers.