Flying cheerios, missing socks— backseat riders can get a little out of control. One thing you can control is your child’s safety. It’s National Child Passenger Safety Week (September 15-21) and a great time to make sure your child’s car seat fits. The Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS) has partnered with organizations around the state for National Seat Check Saturday on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Last year in Idaho there were 2,538 crashes involving a child passenger between 0-6 years old. 515 of those kids were unrestrained in the vehicles. Two children died, one was in a car seat, one was not.
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study found that while most parents and caregivers believe they know how to properly install their car seats, about half (48%) have installed their child’s car seat incorrectly. An appointment with a professional Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician can go a long way in protecting kids and giving parents peace of mind.
“CPS technicians undergo extensive training,” says Tabitha Smith, Program Manager for Occupant Protection in Idaho and former CPS Technician. “It’s not something that’s taught in a couple-hour class. It’s three to four days long. So when we send people to technicians, they truly know what they’re talking about.”
This week in Idaho there are many free seat check events coming up on Seat Check Saturday and beyond:
| North Idaho | ||||
| Agency | City | Address | Date | Time |
| Safe Start /St. Mary’s Health | Cottonwood | 701 Lewiston St, Cottonwood, ID 83522 | 9/19/2024 | 1 pm to 4 pm |
| Southwest Idaho | ||||
| Agency | City | Address | Date | Time |
| Thrive Pediatrics Pinnacle Clinic | Meridian
|
1435 E. Phenomenal St.
Meridian, ID 83642 |
9/28/24 | 9 am to 1 pm |
| Kuna Fire | Kuna | 150 W Boise St, Kuna, ID 83634 | 9/21/2024 | 10 am to 4 |
| Mountain Home Air Force Base | Mountain Home | 355 Alpine St, Mountain Home AFB, ID 83648 | 9/21/2024 | Call for Appointment
208-828-7349 |
| St. Luke’s | Meridian | 500 S Eagle Rd.
Meridian, 83642 |
9/21/24 | 10 am to 2 pm |
| Emmett Fire | Emmett | 231 S Washington Ave, Emmett, ID 83617 | 9/21/2024 | 9 am to 12 pm |
| McCall Fire | McCall | 201 Deinhard Ln, McCall, ID 83638 | 9/21/2024 | 9 am 2 pm |
| East Idaho | ||||
| Agency | City | Address | Date | Time |
| Oneida – Nell Redfield Hospital | Malad City | 150 200 W, Malad City, ID 83252 | 9/20/2024 | 10 am |
| Caribou County Sheriff | Soda Springs | 475 E 2nd S, Soda Springs, ID 83276 | 9/21/2024 | 11 am |
| Blackfoot PD | Blackfoot PD | 501 N Maple St #410, Blackfoot, ID 83221 | 9/21/2024 | 11 am |
| Grease Monkey Idaho Falls | Idaho Falls | 2100 Channing Way, Idaho Falls, ID 83404 | 9/28/2024 | 10 am to 2 pm |
| Teton Valley Health | Driggs | 120 E Howard Ave, Driggs, ID 83422 | 9/28/2024 | 9 am to noon |
At these seat check events, certified child passenger safety technicians will check if a car seat is the right type for a child’s age and size, check that it fits correctly, and that it is properly installed in the vehicle.
Several organizations also provide seat check appointments year-round. Visit OHS’s online map to find a provider near you and make an appointment.
For more details on what to expect at a seat check appointment, check out OHS’s blog.