DMV to hold free child seat inspections
ALBANY, N.Y. >> The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) announced free child seat inspections are available to parents and caregivers during the month of September throughout the state.
As part of a year-long safety initiative, state and local law enforcement agencies, together with various community safety partners, are offering free inspections by certified child passenger safety technicians.
“As a father and grandfather, I urge all parents and caregivers to take advantage of this free service. Learning how to properly install and use child safety equipment only takes a few minutes, but it can make a lifesaving difference in a crash,” DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said.
These events aim to ensure all parents and caregivers understand how to choose an appropriate seat for the child’s age and size and how to install the seat correctly. Trained technicians will use the model of “Learn, Practice, and Explain” to educate caregivers 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 are 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 September:
Capital Region
Sept. 14 Rensselaer County 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Center Brunswick FD 1045 Hoosick Road, Troy, NY 12180
Agency: New York State Police / Rensselaer County Law Enforcement Assoc.
Contact: Trooper Donald Fougere / Eric Dahl at (518) 7833258 / (518) 266-1970
••• Sept. 21 Saratoga County 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Clifton Park Halfmoon EMS, 15 Crossing Blvd., Clifton Park, NY 12065
Agency: New York State Police
Contact: Trooper Donald Fougere at (518) 783-3258
••• Sept. 21 Albany County 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Crossgates Mall Overflow Parking Lot by Washington Avenue Extension
1 Crossgates Mall Road, Guilderland, NY 12203
Agency: Albany County DPW / Capital Region Safe Kids
Contact: Bill Van Alstyne at (518) 765-2565
If you cannot attend one of the listed free child car seat check-up events, 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 of 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 on a child’s age and size.