Protecting precious passengers at State Farm
Did you know car seats expire? Did you know cupholders are mandatory on all car seats?
No need to fret if you are a parent and learned a couple things there, as the Delaware Office of Highway Safety and State Farm agent Jeanine O’Donnell are more interested in teaching than judging. Following a hiatus due to COVID, car seat inspections are back on the streets of Delaware, and the State Farm office in Lewes played host to the service Sept. 20.
Fitting station coordinator Aubrey Klick said the goal is to educate parents. The inspections capped off a four-day training course for people ranging from public safety employees to a mom eager to learn more about securing her most precious cargo. While car seat inspections are available by appointment in all three counties, the classes and outreach are a way to continue to inform parents about practices and procedures they may be unaware of.
O’Donnell said four out of five car seats are not used properly. She believes it’s important to educate and provide facts about car seats to lower the percentage of misuse.
In addition to cupholders and expiration dates, something else parents may not know is that some manufacturers recommend replacing a car seat following an accident. Klick said Graco, a popular manufacturer, recommends replacing its car seats following any type of accident.
All children under age 12 are required by state law to ride in the vehicle’s back seat. Infants should always ride in rear-facing car seats and continue to do so until they reach the top height or weight limit. Rear-facing seats are secured from the front of the car seat, while front-facing seats are buckled into the back. Kids will last in the front-facing seats until they graduate to a booster seat at about age 7. Booster seats are necessary because the seatbelt does not settle on the child’s body correctly until they are about 12 years old or 4-feet-9-inches tall.
The fine for not having a child in an appropriate seat is $25, according to Delaware Child Restraint Laws.
Whether a parent or caregiver is interested in inspections or certification, Klick said the participant will receive a substantial amount of information. Certification is available to anyone interested, and free car seat inspections are offered in all three counties. Car seat checks In New Castle County and Kent County are held at the Division of Motor Vehicles, and in Sussex County at Delaware State Police Troop 7. To schedule an appointment in Kent or Sussex counties, contact Klick at 302-744-2749. More information is available at ohs.delaware.gov.
