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North Carolina kicked off Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Week 2024 Monday with a free car seat safety event in Apex.
The event marked the start of a week-long campaign dedicated to reducing child fatalities on the road. Hosted by Safe Kids NC, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, and State Farm, the event at Target in Beaver Creek Commons provided more than 50 child safety seats to families in need. Financial support was provided by State Farm through the Good Neighbor Car Seat Safety Program.
Child Passenger Safety Week raises awareness of correctly installing child safety seats to protect children in vehicles. Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children in the U.S., but properly installed car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
The event provided more than just car seats — parents and caregivers received hands-on guidance from certified technicians to ensure the proper installation and use of child seats, giving them the tools and knowledge to protect their children.
“Properly installing child safety seats is one of the most critical ways to protect our children on the road,” State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said. “We are committed to helping families ensure their seats are correctly installed and educating them on the importance of child passenger safety.”
Throughout CPS Week 2024, similar car seat checks and safety events will be held across the state.
These events will offer parents and caregivers advice and resources to ensure children ride safely. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be available to help with car seat installations and answer questions about child passenger safety.
For those unable to attend an event, parents are encouraged to take advantage of year-round resources such as Local Programs and Checking Stations: BuckleUpNC.org.
Stanly County EMS Base 1, 1930 Hilco St., Albemarle, hosts child seat checks 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Thursday of each month and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. Call 704-986-3658 for more information.