Free Child Safety Seat Inspection set for May 25 Published May 13, 2010 By Christina Whaley AFFTC Ground Safety EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Air Force Flight Test Center Ground Safety Office will host a child safety seat Inspection, sponsored by the California Highway Patrol, May 25. The inspection will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chapel 2 Parking Lot, next to the Edwards Child Development Center on Fitz-Gerald Blvd. The inspection will include a 15- to 20-minute assessment and a demonstration of proper child car seat usage for the parent or adult caregiver. The inspection will be free of charge and available to all base personnel and visitors. The assessment will evaluate safety, compatibility, comfort and use of after-market products while considering a specific child, child safety seat and vehicle. Examples of some of the questions the technicians can answer are: Is the safety seat appropriate for the child's age, height and weight? Has the car seat ever been recalled? Can the car seat be correctly installed given the vehicle's safety belts and seat designs? Are after-market products safe to use with car seats? Should second-hand car seats be purchased and used? This inspection will also give new and expectant mothers a chance to learn how child safety seats work and which type of safety seat may best suit their child's needs. Recent surveys by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that as many as 80 percent of child safety seats are not properly used. Misuse ranges from minor seat belt adjustments to recalled safety seats and other major application errors that could endanger a child in the event of a car crash. Participants who would like a child safety seat assessment need to bring their vehicle, their child's safety seat and the child who will be riding in the seat to the Chapel 2 Parking Lot. A proper assessment can only be made if all three are together. Parents should know the child's height and weight prior to the inspection event. There are so many types and sizes of child safety seats available today, it may be hard to know if parents are using the correct one or securing their child properly in it. This free inspection gives an opportunity to have a trained, certified technician in child passenger safety assess each situation and make recommendations based on their training and expertise. Ground Safety is conducting this inspection so people will be better able to protect their children while riding in a vehicle. While most parents want to do the right thing, correct installation of child safety seats can be difficult. This is an excellent opportunity to promote child safety and help adults identify potential problems associated with installation and use of child safety seats. This inspection will help ensure children are in the right safety seat; and the seat and the child are properly secured. For more information about the upcoming child safety seat inspection, please contact Ms. Christina Whaley at 277-6066.