Car Seat Checks

When

• March through December
• First Wednesday of each month
• 1 to 4 p.m.

Where

Central Fire Station
201 W Washington Street
East Peoria, IL 61611

Cost

Free

Program Description

Parents and child caregivers can make sure car seats are properly installed in vehicles through this program. Nationally-trained child passenger safety technicians will be available to educate caregivers on proper installation of child restraints and best practice guidelines. According to Safe Kids, a national organization promoting car seat safety, 95% of car seats are installed incorrectly.

Program participants must bring their child's car seat to the car seat check event. The Fire Department does not have car seats to give away, and does not accept old car seats for disposal.

Those who cannot attend the monthly event can schedule an appointment for a car seat check by calling 309-427-7670, option 1. There is no charge for the appointment.

Car seat checks are not scheduled in January and February due to the uncertainty of winter weather.

Community Service Information

Those seeking a car seat check for court-ordered community service hours must attend the monthly event the first Wednesday of the month, March through December, when representatives of the Tazewell County Health Department are present and can sign the community service form. East Peoria firefighters cannot sign the form. In addition, a vehicle must be present for car seat installation. If the person cannot attend the monthly check, they should call the health department in their county of residence to make car seat check arrangements.

More Information

For more information, call the Children’s Hospital of Illinois at 877-277-6543.

Car Seat Safety Tips

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible up to the top height or weight allowed by their particular seats. Once a child outgrows the rear-facing-only “infant” car seat, he/she should travel in a rear-facing “convertible” or all-in-one car seat. Once a child outgrows the rear-facing size limits, the child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether. After outgrowing the forward-facing car seat with harness, the child should ride in a booster seat until he/she is the right size to use a seat belt safely.

Remember to register the car seat and booster seat with the car seat manufacturer so notification can be sent in the event of a recall.

Read the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's additional information about car seat safety.