Groton Opens New Car Seat Inspection Station

Natalie Barlow drove her 1-year-old son to the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department station on Fort Hill Road Monday to make sure his car seat was installed correctly.

“So many people drive around with car seats that aren’t secure,” she said. “It’s just good to know that they’re not going to go anywhere.”

Monday was the first day the car seat inspection station was open in Groton. The expansion of the program into Groton was a collaborative effort by the Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department, Safe Kids New London County and Groton Town Police.

Safe Kids New London County,  based at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital,  focuses on preventing injuries to children. The group has three car seat inspection sites in the county, including one now at the Poquonnock Bridge station at 13 Fort Hill Road.

It will be open once a month to start, said Kelly Murphy, assistant coordinator for Safe Kids New London County.

 “We needed it,” she said. “We’re just busy.”

Two firefighters from Poquonnock Bridge – Jeff Erhart and Jason Cioci,  who also serve as certified inspection technicians - got the program started in town, she said.

The inspection station was open from 12:30 until 3:30 p.m. today, and by 2:30 p.m. had nine appointments and one driver who had stopped in.

Nikole and Bill Henderson, who are expecting a baby on Feb. 17, brought two cars in, along with the car seat bases. Bill Henderson also has a daughter, 11.

“There’s been a lot of changes since my 11-year-old had a car seat, in the safety equipment,” he said.  “We just wanted to make sure they were being properly installed.”

Murphy said the most common mistakes people make with car seats are not installing them tightly enough, or leaving the car seat harness too loose on the child.

Those who wish to have their car seats checked are asked to make an appointment  through Safe Kids New London County, by calling (860) 442-0773. 

The program also has inspection stations in Norwich and at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.