Child Public Safety Day(posted April 22) Buckles & Bows hosted its second annual Child Public Safety Day on April 21 that provided hands on education for parents to learn the proper installation of their child's car seat. Lisa Bentley, one of the investors of the pre-loved child's clothing store, organized the event with the Marion County's Prosecutor's office. "Eighty percent of all car seats are improperly installed," said Don Bickel, director of the Marion County Traffic Safety Partnership. By 11 a.m., four cars filled with parents and children were parked at the shopping center so parents could have their child's seat inspected by trained certified technicians. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes for a technician to review the seat and to teach the parents proper installation. "There should be no more than one-inch movement from side to side," said Bickel. Many improper installations are due to the parents' failure to read the instructions Don Boyle, a volunteer certified technician, explained the child is observed by the way he or she is currently sitting in the car seat upon arrival. The seat may simply need adjusting or a new one may be necessary. The seat is also checked to see if it might be on a recall list. Boyle's inspection regarded a seven-year-old child that was a border-line case whether to remain in the booster seat or to use the lap and shoulder belt. He said the child was above average size but would not turn eight-years-old until December. Boyle applied the leg rule where the leg has to bend at the curve of the cushion while sitting with good posture in the seat. From his observations, he determined the child should remain in the booster. He also noted that the state law requires a child to stay in a booster seat until eight years old. Marnita Louzn, of the Automotive Safety Program with Riley Hospital, said the biggest mistake parents can make is non-use of a car seat. Louzn helped Amy Rustin refit her four kids with cars seats after a recent wreck. Car seats should never be reused after being involved in a collision. The next child seat fitting clinic is at Robert Park Church on May 17 from 3 pm to 6 pm, but parents are always welcome to call 800-543-6227 to find the nearest fit station out of the 104 locations in the state. Buckles and Bows also offered DNA and finger print identification. Speedway Masonic Lodge provided the service and DNA kits. Brian Figueiredo recommended the local chapter to offer the service. "I thought it was a good community service," he said. He explained it was the second year for the program and it serves as an educational tool to help people to understand who the Masons are. "Many people have no idea what the Masons do," he said. Carla Marion had her three-year-old Mallory finger printed. "I learned about this program from shopping at Buckles and Bowes. I come here about once every two weeks," she said. |
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