MONROE, CT — Child passenger safety seats should be properly installed and suitable for a child’s age, weight and height. The Monroe Police Department’s Car Safety Seat Clinic will offer free installation and inspections to give parents and guardians the peace of mind in knowing their child is as safe as possible on the road.
The clinic will be held in front of Monroe Town Hall, 7 Fan Hill Road, on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointments are necessary. All families are welcome to participate, including those living outside of Monroe.
“Whether you are expecting an addition to your family or your child has outgrown their current seat, this is a valuable opportunity to ensure their safety,” Chief Keith White said. “Don’t forget grandparents or anyone else who may be transporting a child.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, of the 25,420 passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes in 2022, 756 were children and, of those young passengers, 266 were unrestrained.
“Child safety seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury by 71 percent for infants under 1 year old and by 54 percent for toddlers 1 to 4 years old in passenger cars,” according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. “For infants and toddlers in light trucks, the corresponding reductions are 58 percent and 59 percent, respectively.”
Monroe Police Sgt. Helio Ramalhete, who is in charge of the clinic, said nationally trained child safety seat inspectors will be on hand.
Police ask participants to bring their child or children, car seats and vehicle or vehicles to the event, so their technicians can provide personalized assistance.
Ramalhete said child safety seats will be available to replace seats that are broken or not the right size. Any families who cannot afford to buy a child safety seat should email the police department prior to the event at [email protected], and a seat will be provided.
Ramalhete said those who cannot make it to the clinic can call the Monroe Police Department after the event at 203-261-3622, tell the dispatcher they are calling about child safety seat inspections and installments, and someone will call them back to set up an appointment.
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