SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – A quick stop at the Southfield Public Library turned into an important safety lesson for one Metro Detroit mom.
Nina McCoy stopped by the library during Local 4’s July Go 4 It: Ride Safe event to use the restroom. When she learned free car seat inspections were being offered, she decided to have her children’s car seats checked.
That decision paid off.
Henry Ford Hospital Injury Prevention Coordinator Adam Martinez found that both car seats needed adjustments and reinstalled them to ensure they were properly secured.
“If you have a child in your car—I don’t care if you’re a parent, auntie, grandparent, whoever you are—you should make sure those car seats are as secure as they should be,” McCoy said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, correctly installed car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury in a passenger vehicle crash by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Yet nearly half of all car seats are installed incorrectly, even though most parents and caregivers believe they’ve installed them properly.
To help address that issue, Local 4 partnered with Henry Ford Health and the Detroit Health Department to provide free car seat inspections and educate caregivers about proper installation.
The event also focused on bicycle safety.
Free Bikes 4 Kidz Detroit distributed free children’s bike helmets and made sure each one fit properly to help protect kids from serious head injuries.
Karis Johnson was among the children who received a helmet.
“So if I ever fall off my bike, my head stays safe, and I won’t get hurt,” she said.
Her mother, Stephanie Johnson, said the event reinforced the importance of making sure children are protected every time they ride.
“Bike safety is very important, and they enjoy riding their bikes,” Johnson said.
Organizers hope the event serves as a reminder that taking a few minutes to check a car seat or properly fit a bike helmet can help prevent serious injuries and save lives.
If you missed Wednesday’s car seat inspection, you can sign up for another car seat inspection at a later date. Click here to apply.
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