Representatives from West Hartford Police Department’s Community Relations Division will assist members of the community with safe car seat installation at free clinics scheduled at Aiken and Wolcott elementary schools on Sept. 18 and 19.

By Ronni Newton

Parents or caregivers of young children may think they are doing the right thing by using a car seat, but unless that seat is the correct size for the child’s age, height, and weight, is installed correctly, and the straps are being used properly, the child may not be traveling safely in a vehicle.

Many people also don’t realize that car seats expire, or that the state’s rules for use of a child car seat have been updated, or that their new seat buckles a bit differently, or that a car seat doesn’t quite attach the same way when it’s placed in a different car. A transition from a rear-facing car seat, to a front-facing car seat, and then to a booster seat is necessary when a child reaches a certain height or weight, too, and officers are able to provide up-to-date advice about the regulations.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 15-21, 2024.

Amanda Goeller, the home to school liaison for West Hartford Public Schools, said this week is the third time the district, in collaboration with the West Hartford Police Department’s Community Relations Division, is hosting a “Car Seat Clinic.” Last year, she said 34 families attended the clinic, which was held at both Charter Oak International Academy and Smith STEM schools, and five of the families were able to obtain new car seats at the event. All who attended learned how to properly install the seats and received other safety-related support.

Last year at Smith and Charter Oak, officers also checked the car seats installed in the cars of some staff members – and some corrections were needed.

“The resource officers did a fantastic job,” Goeller said. “We’re hoping to get more families this year,” she said, expecting 50 or more will attend the clinics being held at Aiken Elementary School (212 King Philip Drive) on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon, or at Wolcott Elementary School (71 Wolcott Road) on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The goal, Goeller said, is to ensure that “kids are transported in a safe way.”

The clinics are open to anyone in the community – parents, grandparents, caregivers – and observers are also welcome. There is no charge to attend, and no need to be affiliated with either of the schools where they are being held. Officers certified in car seat safety will be able to check the installation and expiration date of an existing car seat, install a new seat, or provide other advice about safety guidelines and best practices. The district has grant funds available, and those who need a car seat or booster seat but are unable to afford one should contact Goeller at 860-480-3332 or email [email protected].

As of this school year, Goeller, whose role was previously at just Smith and Charter Oak, is now part of the district’s Equity Advancement Office. “I’m district-wide, and my goal is to extend [these resources] to all the schools,” she said. She said some families who move to West Hartford from another country may not immediately know the local regulations regarding car seat use, which also differ from state-to-state.

“This clinic is a key initiative for our community, as it provides families with essential knowledge and resources to ensure their children’s safety in vehicles,” Goeller said. “It’s more than just a compliance check; it’s about creating a culture of safety and support that strengthens our community and protects our most vulnerable members.”

There is no need to RSVP, and the safety check and/or installation process doesn’t take long. Certified officers will be stationed in the bus drop-off driveway areas at each school.

A brochure with the most current guidelines will be distributed to all who attend, and a copy of that brochure, in both English and Spanish, can be found as a PDF below.

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