Whiteman Airmen provide inspections of child seats

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Barebo
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  In preparation for April, the Month of the Military Child, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certified inspectors, on-base, are offering free inspections of child car seats for anyone with base access.

"We check the expiration date, condition and installation of all child car seats," said. Tech Sgt. Lisa Eason, 509th Munitions Squadron. "We are all certified through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You wouldn't think much of it, but there are actually right and wrong ways to install a car seat."

Team Whiteman has six Child Passenger Safety Technicians available to teach parents how to inspect their seats and properly install them.

"We have a checklist provided by the NHTSA that covers every aspect of a child seat," said Staff Sgt. Ronal Reed, 509th Security Forces Squadron. "The checklist covers everything from inspecting the expiration date of seats to proper installation to having the parents install the seats again to ensure they know how to do it."

The one-on-one educational safety check usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the car seat and vehicle. The CPSTs at Whiteman will ensure parents feel competent and confident in re-securing their car seat into their vehicle and re-buckling their child without assistance.

"We like to have the parents bring their children when we inspect so we can see how they secure their children in the vehicle," Sergeant Reed said. "We even check for proper resistance in the seat belts and any harness systems on the seat."

The Whiteman CPSTs highly recommend staying away from hand-me-down child seats.

"Child seats are only good for six years max, after that the plastic can start to break down," Sergeant Eason said. "Child seats should also be replaced if they are ever involved in an accident. Most auto insurance companies will replace them during a claim."

If parents can't afford a proper child seat, a CPST can provide them with a certified child seat from the NHTSA.

"We have more than 40 child seats available that we can give to families who need them," Sergeant Reed said. "They aren't fancy or pretty like those available at stores, but they are certified and safe."

Whiteman's CPSTs will be handing out information at the Annual Block Party April 22, 2010, at the Whiteman Youth Center. They will also host a check station May 9, 2010, through May 15, 2010, at the BX during National Police Week.

"Parents can always call to set up an appointment for one of us to come perform a check," Sergeant Eason. "Someone will usually be available the next day."

To make an appointment, call Sergeant Reed at (660) 687-2512 or Sergeant Eason at (660) 687-8008.

Here are some tips provided by the Whiteman CPSTs:

· Keep your infant in a rear-facing child safety seat in the vehicle's back seat for as long as possible

· Make sure the buckled harness straps that keep your baby properly positioned and
secured in the car seat fit snugly. Loose harness straps don't provide maximum protection. Be sure the harness is tight enough that you cannot pinch webbing at the shoulder.

· Never buy a used car seat if you do not know its full history. Never use a car seat that has been in a crash. Avoid car seats sold at flea markets, yard sales or online.

· Use the car's safety belt or LATCH system to lock the car seat into the car. Do not use both at the same time. Your car seat should not move more than one inch side-to-side or front to back.

· Restrain all children in age- and weight-appropriate child restraints when in a car with the motor running. That will limit access to power windows. Never leave children unattended.

· More tips and recall notices are available at www.safekids.org.