“No parent should have to endure the loss of a child,” is the profound statement scrolled across the Safe Kids Worldwide website. In Longmont, one way to help make sure that doesn’t happen rests in the capable hands of the Longmont Fire Department.
Beginning today, the Longmont Fire Department will once again open its stations to car seat safety inspections.
The fire department is allowing the public to make appointments to stop by to have their car seats inspected for safety and for proper installment.
Appointment registration takes place on Tuesdays beginning at 7 a.m. Interested parties will receive confirmation for appointment by the evening. Appointments will be held on Wednesday between the hours of 1-5 p.m.
The confirmation email will indicate which fire station to visit for appointments.
Longmont Fire Department is asking residents to wear a mask during the appointment.
“Correctly used, child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71%,” according to the Safe Kids Worldwide website.
With this in mind, Longmont Public Safety encourages parents-to-be to install a car seat when the mother is seven months pregnant.
Safe Kids Worldwide and Longmont Public Safety also provides some tips for car seat safety:
- Choose a car seat that fits the age, weight and height of your child
- Keep babies rear-facing as long as possible — at least two years or more
- Read your car’s manual to learn where the LATCH positions are in your car and how much weight they will bear
- Car seats should not move more than an inch in any direction once installed
- Make sure your child’s harness is properly fitted
- Remove bulky clothing or coats before buckling your child into the car seat
Longmont is not the only place car seat inspections are happening. For more options explore Berthoud Fire Protection District, Boulder Rural Fire Protection District, Frederick/Firestone Fire Protection District and Mountain View Fire and Rescue.
For families unable to afford a car seat, there here organizations that will help. Residents can call 211 — which is a confidential and multilingual service that connects families with vital resources. The city of Longmont does not have a program that offers free car seats, according to the website.
