Free Car Seat Check Comes to Edgewood Wednesday

Local parents can ensure their children's car safety seats are installed properly on Wednesday at one of the Harford County Sheriff's Office free car seat checks.

Wednesday's check will be held, by appointment only, at the southern precinct at 1305 Pulaski Highway Highway in Edgewood.

According to the Harford County Sheriff's Office, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injuries and death among children in the United States. Many of these deaths and injuries occur because children are not restrained correctly when riding in motor vehicles. 

Experience at car seat checks in Maryland reveals that approximately 75 percent of children are riding in the wrong type of seat, or in seats that are not correctly installed in the vehicle.

Officials say many of the problems with car seats fall into the “Top Five” list of common mistakes, which is something the Certified Child Passenger Safety Seat technicians help to avoid. 

If you're planning on bringing your car seat by Wednesday's check, officers suggest you do the following preparations:

• Arrive with car seat(s) already installed in the vehicle to the best of their ability 
• Bring both the vehicle and safety seat(s) owner’s manuals with them
• Be prepared to ask questions and be involved in the seat checking process