Have Your Child's Car Seat Inspected for Free!
Each year, nearly 1,400 children ages 14 and under are killed in motor vehicle accidents, and an estimated 280,000 are injured.
A car seat fitting station is a site where parents or caregivers make appointments to have trained staff assist them with proper car seat use and installation.
The goal is to ensure that every child leaving the inspection is protected from undue injury in the case of a vehicle crash.
Car Seat Fitting
Certified child safety technicians, funded through a grant from the State of Indiana, assist parents and caregivers with proper car seat use and installation.
PLEASE NOTE: Beginning February 2010, all car seat fittings will be conducted by Valparaiso Firefighters who are trained as certified child passenger safety technicians.
To schedule an appointment call 462.8325.
Tips for Keeping Kids Safe While Traveling
Porter's Car Seat Fitting Station offers these tips for ensuring that your child is secured safely when traveling:
Tip #1: Kids Ride in the Back
Children ages 12 and under should always ride in the backseat, especially if your vehicle has a passenger-side airbag. The middle of the backseat is the safest.
Tip #2: Read Your Owner's Manual
Read your child restraint owner's manual for instructions on properly using the restraint. This manual provides you with crucial information about the car seat that shouldn't be overlooked.
Tip #3: Know Your Seat's Limitations
Follow the weight limits recommended by the manufacturer of your car safety seat. Putting a child in a seat that is too big or too little for the child can have devastating results.
Tip #4: Check for Product Recalls
Check to see if your child's restraint has been recalled. A car safety seat may be recalled because of a defect that could injure your child.Manufacturers are required to fix the problem free of charge. If you are unsure of whether your seat has been recalled, call Department of Transportation Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 888/DASH-2-DOT. If your seat is recalled, use the seat until you get a new one. It is almost always safer than letting your child ride with a safety belt only.