September 7, 2017
NORTON, Kan. – Norton Medical Clinic is offering its fourth annual Car Seat Check Lane on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the clinic’s parking lot located at 807 N. State St. The free event will be hosted from 1 to 3 p.m.
Clinic staff who are certified child passenger safety technicians will be performing the checks. Joining the clinic staff will be Norton County EMS, as well as local fire and law enforcement officials, who will be on hand to visit with participants and offer entertainment for children.
Sept. 17-23 is Child Passenger Safety Week, which aims to bring awareness to car seat safety. Every 33 seconds, one child under the age of 13 is involved in a vehicle crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council. Crashes are a leading cause of death among children 1 to 13 years old.
Many times, deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of car seats, booster seats and seat belts, said Cami Cornelius, a certified nursing assistant and certified child passenger safety technician at Norton Medical Clinic.
“We encourage all families with young children to attend, even those who have older children,” Cornelius said. “Sometimes drivers aren’t sure what type of seat these older children should be in, because the children have outgrown a regular car seat yet the seat belt doesn’t sit right on them. Come by the check lane, and let us give you recommendations on what to use.”
Each fall, Norton County Hospital and Norton Medical Clinic chooses to recognize the importance of car seats, and ensure they are safe and secure to protect children. Providing safety information and car seat instructions to parents and caregivers – such as grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and babysitters – is important in saving young lives.
Cornelius encourages participants to come to the event with a car seat and the owner’s manual for their vehicle, which often helps with proper installation. The technician can check to ensure the seat is installed properly, has proper stickers and displays no damage, stress marks or fraying at the harness that could lead to a safety concern. The technician will also check if the car seat has any recalls.
There is no need to RSVP for the event, and refreshments will be provided. Anyone is welcome to attend, even those who reside outside of Norton County. Another feature of the event is giveaways. The grand prize giveaway is a gift card to Jamboree Foods in Norton. To enter, participants of the check lane must attend the event and answer this question: What method should be used to install your car seat properly? LATCH, seat belt or both?
Participants can enter to win other prizes at the event as well. Organizers will do the drawing after the event, and winners will be notified. There is no need to be present at the drawing to win. Prize donations acquired thus far have been provided by the following: Kowpoke Supply & Lumber, Hushed Salon & Boutique, Backporch Designs and Zumba sessions with Katie Allen at Define Gym.
Those interested in getting a car seat checked but cannot make the Sept. 23 event should call the Norton County Hospital at 785-877-3351 or Norton Medical Clinic at 785-877-3305 and ask to schedule an appointment with one of the certified child passenger safety technicians, who include Cornelius, as well as Klare Givens, registered nurse; and Angie Annon, licensed practical nurse.
###