Franciscan Health Offers Free Car Seat Safety Workshop in Hammond

Free Car Seat Safety Checks Offered to Indiana Families This Month

Indiana Residents Can Recieve Expert Assistance Ensuring Their Children’s Safety on The Road.

September 3, 2025

Event Details and Location

Franciscan Health is set to host a vital free Car Seat Safety Event on Friday, September 19th, specifically for residents of Indiana. This initiative, co-led by the Trauma Services department, aims to bolster child passenger safety by providing expert evaluations and assistance with car seat installations.

The event will provide a valuable service to families, offering peace of mind knowing their children are as protected as possible during vehicle travel. Trained professionals will be on hand to inspect car seats,ensuring they meet current safety standards and are correctly installed according to manufacturer guidelines.

The Importance of Correct Car Seat installation

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Governance (NHTSA), car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.Though, the efficacy of a car seat hinges on proper installation-a surprising number, estimated at around 59%, are misused.

Common errors include using the wrong car seat for a child’s age and weight, improperly tightening the harness, and failing to secure the car seat to the vehicle correctly. These mistakes can significantly compromise the car seat’s ability to protect a child in the event of a crash.

Car seat Type	Typical Age/weight Range	Key Safety Feature
Rear-Facing Infant Seat	Newborn – 2 years (or until max height/weight)	Full support for head and neck
Forward-Facing with Harness	2 – 5 years (or until max height/weight)	Five-point harness system
Booster Seat	5 – 12 years (or until adult seatbelt fits properly)	Positions seatbelt correctly

Did You Know? Approximately one in three children in car seats are not secured properly.

Pro Tip: Always read both the car seat manual *and* your vehicle’s owner’s manual for installation instructions.

Beyond the Event: Ongoing Safety Resources

While events like this are invaluable, maintaining car seat safety is an ongoing responsibility. The NHTSA offers a wealth of resources, including a car seat inspection station locator. Find a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) near you to ensure your car seat is always correctly installed.

Remember,as children grow,their car seat needs will change. Regularly assessing their height and weight against the car seat’s specifications is crucial. staying informed about the latest safety recommendations will help to provide the best possible protection for your young passengers.

Staying Safe on the Road: A Year-Round Commitment

Child passenger safety extends beyond just the car seat. It encompasses responsible driving habits,such as avoiding distractions,adhering to speed limits,and always buckling up yourself. By prioritizing safety in all aspects of vehicle travel, parents and caregivers can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

New statistics published by the CDC in March 2024 indicate that traffic accidents remain a leading cause of injury and death for children in the United States, underscoring the critical importance of vigilant safety measures.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Seat Safety

what is the most common car seat installation error? The most frequent mistake is loosening the harness straps too much, leading to insufficient restraint in a crash.

How often should I check my car seat installation? You should check your car seat installation every time you move the car seat to a different vehicle,or at least every six months.

At what age can my child transition from a car seat to a booster seat? This depends on your state’s laws and your child’s size, but generally, children can transition to a booster seat when they outgrow the height or weight limit of their forward-facing car seat.

Where can I find a certified car seat technician? the NHTSA website provides a locator tool to find a certified CPST near you.

Is it safe to use a used car seat? It’s generally not recommended to use a used car seat from an unknown source because you can’t verify its history or whether it has been involved in a crash.

What are the latest car seat safety standards? Car seat safety standards are continuously evolving. Refer to the NHTSA website for the most up-to-date information.

How does Indiana law regulate car seat use? Indiana law requires children under 8 to be properly restrained in a federally approved child restraint system.

Do you have concerns about your car seat installation? Have you utilized a local car seat safety check resource?

Share this article with your network to help promote child passenger safety!

What are the specific requirements for transitioning a child from a rear-facing to a forward-facing car seat according to Indiana law?

Ensuring Your Child’s Safety on the Road: A Free Workshop

Franciscan Health Hammond is committed to community safety, and a crucial part of that is ensuring children are properly secured in vehicles.that’s why they are offering a free car seat safety workshop designed to educate parents and caregivers on best practices for child passenger safety. This workshop addresses a critical need, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 46% of car seats are misused.

Workshop Details & Registration

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what You’ll Learn: Key topics Covered

This isn’t just a demonstration; it’s an interactive learning experience.Participants will gain valuable knowledge on:

Car Seat Types: Understanding the differences between rear-facing car seats, forward-facing car seats, booster seats, and combination car seats. Knowing which seat is appropriate for your child’s age, weight, and height is the first step to safety.

proper Installation: A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) will demonstrate the correct way to install a car seat using both the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) and the vehicle’s seat belt.

Harnessing Your Child: Learn how to properly secure your child in the car seat harness, ensuring the straps are snug and positioned correctly. Incorrect harness positioning is a common error.

Transitioning Between Stages: Guidance on when and how to safely transition your child from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing car seat, and eventually to a booster seat.

Recall Information: Staying informed about car seat recalls and how to check if your car seat is affected. Resources will be provided.

Indiana car Seat Laws: A review of current Indiana car seat laws and regulations.

Why Car seat Safety Matters: Statistics & Impact

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury and death for children. here’s a sobering look at the statistics:

According to the CDC,in 2022,748 children ages 12 years and younger died in motor vehicle traffic crashes.

Proper car seat use reduces the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and up to 54% for toddlers.

Many crashes could be prevented or have less severe outcomes if car seats were installed and used correctly.

Benefits of Attending the Workshop

Beyond the immediate knowledge gained, attending this workshop offers several benefits:

Peace of Mind: Knowing your child is as safe as possible in the event of a crash.

Reduced risk of Injury: Correct car seat installation and use considerably reduce the risk of serious injury or fatality.

Expert Guidance: Receive personalized advice from a certified CPST.

Free Service: The workshop and car seat check are offered at no cost to the community.

Staying Current: Car seat safety standards and best practices evolve. This workshop ensures you have the latest information.

Resources for Further Information

Here are some valuable resources for ongoing car seat safety information:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): https://www.nhtsa.gov/

Safe Kids Worldwide: https://www.safekids.org/

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): https://www.aap.org/

indiana State Department of Health – Child Passenger Safety: [InsertIndianaStateDepartmentofHealthLink-[InsertIndianaStateDepartmentofHealthLink-To be filled in with specific details]

Real-World Example: The importance of a Car Seat check

In 2023, a local Hammond family attended a similar car seat safety check event. The CPST discovered their car seat was installed incorrectly, with the LATCH anchors not properly secured.Had they been involved in a crash, the car seat likely would not have provided adequate protection. This highlights the critical importance of professional car seat inspections.

Preparing for the Workshop: What to Bring

to make the most of the workshop, please bring the following:

Your child (optional, but recommended for a personalized fit check).

Your car seat and vehicle’s owner’s manuals.

* A list of any questions you have regarding car seat safety.