The Cincinnati Fire Department provides citizens instructions on how to safely install car seats. Citizens that wish to take advantage of this invaluable training can call the Cincinnati Fire Prevention Bureau at 357-7585 and schedule an appointment for one of the Fire Department’s six qualified car seat technicians to assist them. The training is available from 09:00 AM-4:00 PM Monday –Friday except Holidays.

The importance of this program is reflected in the data obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, during 2005, 1,335 children ages 14 years and younger, died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes in the USA, and approximately 184,000 were injured. That’s an average of 4 deaths and 504 injuries each day.

It is important to remind parents that the State of Ohio requires all children up to 4 years old and at least 40 pounds to be in a child restraint when they’re a passenger in a motor vehicle (4511.81 ORC).

Among children under age 5, in 2006, an estimated 425 lives were saved by child restraint use. Properly installed child restraints can save a child’s life; that is why the City of Cincinnati and the Fire Department has begun this program.

During the child restraint training session, participants will be taught the proper installation methods for their (CR) Child Restraint in their vehicle.

Shopping for car safety seats

When shopping for a car safety seat, keep the following tips in mind:

• No one seat is the "best" or "safest." The best seat is the one that fits your child's age and size, is correctly installed, fits well in your vehicle, and can be used properly every time you use it.
  
• Don't decide by price alone. A higher price does not mean the seat is safer or easier to use.
  
• Avoid used seats if you don't know the seat's history. Never use a car seat that
  • Is too old. Look on the label for the date it was made. Check with the manufacturer to find out how long they recommend using the seat.
  • Have any visible cracks on it.
  • Does not have a label with the date of manufacture and model number. Without these, you cannot check to see if the seat has been recalled.
  • Does not come with instructions. You need them to know how to use the seat.
  • Is missing parts. Used car safety seats often come without important parts. Check with the manufacturer to make sure you can get the right parts.
    

The Cincinnati Fire Department strongly discourages used car seats! Used seats can have cracks, missing parts. The average life of a car seat is five years. Please remember your child's life is worth a new seat!

For further information please contact District Fire Chief Fredrick Prather at: (513) 357-7585