According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 325 children under the age of 5 were saved by car seats in one year. In passenger cars, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers.

During monthly child safety seat inspections, SCFD Child Passenger Safety Technician-qualified personnel will check to make sure your car seats are installed correctly and teach you how to use and install a car seat on your own.

The child safety seat checks will begin in March; each monthly inspection will be held at a different SCFD station in the county to serve community members in north, south and central Sarasota County.

Inspections are free and by appointment only. Appointments are expected to last approximately 30 minutes. Those signing up for appointments will need to bring the car seat with them. It is not required that the child be in attendance for the inspection.

To learn more about how to schedule a car seat safety inspection, dial 311. More information on Sarasota County Fire Department programs can be found at scgov.net/fire.

For more information on car seat safety or to register your car seat and booster seat with the car seat manufacturer so you can be notified in the event of a recall, visit nhtsa.gov/therightseat.