Car Seat Check Gives Parents a Lesson in Child Safety

Despite the triple-digit heat, parents and caregivers turned out for the Car Seat Safety Check, hosted by Sen. Fran Pavley, at the Agoura Hills Civic Center on Saturday.

“Anyone can install a car seat, but we show them how to do it properly,” said Jay Saunders, one of the California Highway Patrol officer's in attendance.

The Northridge Hospital Pediatric Trauma Unit and the Department of Motor Vehicles were involved with putting on the event, in partnership with Sen. Pavley’s office.  

Pavley, a former teacher, has had a history of backing child safety legislation.

“Protection of health and safe try of children has always been a high priority,” Pavley said at the event. “Parents that have been engaged in these car seat events have been appreciative, not only is the price right but it’s also protecting the most important thing in their lives and that would be their children.”

Pavley said events like these are so important because the smallest mistakes that can occur when installing a car seat can really make a difference when it comes to the safety of someone’s child.

“It’s really important to have experts look at how you installed car seats in cars, that can make all the difference in the event of an accident to protect your child,” Pavley said.

Sharon De Castro, the grandmother to Madelyn Posner, said she came to have her car seat inspected because it was a little wobbly.

“I learned not to have the mat under the car seat; they sell mats with the seat, but it doesn’t stick to the seat like it’s supposed to. So he said not to use it,” De Castro said.

Marni Hrattar, a second time mother, attended one of these events before when she had her first child, Jordan. She said she still learned some new things this time around.

“With one it was different because he was in the center. Now, with two, they have to be on the sides, so it’s a little different,” Hrattar said. “The officer made it fun by telling my older son it was important to wear the harness tight and that it’s the same one that race car drivers wear.”