Child Passenger Safety

Did you know that the #1 killer of children between ages 3-14 in the United States is car crashes?

Installing a car seat is not a simple task, and the process can be anything but straightforward. How a car seat is installed in one vehicle may be different in another vehicle. Additionally, the type of seat appropriate for a child will change several times as the child grows and develops. All of these factors complicate the installation process. But, don't worry! We are here to help!

Car Seat Checking Station Sign

The Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department is proud to be a permanent checking station for child passenger safety seats. This service is available to Carrboro and the surrounding community as well. We strongly encourage everyone to have their child safety seat(s) inspected for safety and the correct installation.

Location
Day of Week
Hours of Operation
Fire Station 1
301 W. Main St.
Saturday
09:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Fire Station 2
1411 Homestead Rd.
Saturday
01:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Permanent Checking Station Hours of Operation


If there is an urgent situation and/or you are unable to attend the permanent checking station we will do our best to accommodate the installation at a date and time that is convenient for you. If this is the case fill out the form below to request an appointment. 

Child Passenger Safety Inspection/Installation Appointment Request Form

Why is it important to have your car seat inspected? 

According to AAA and the National Safety Council “Anywhere from 52% to 84% of child restraints show some sort of misuse. The percentage varies by study. For instance, a 2016 Oregon Health and Science University Hospital study showed 4 out of 5 (80%) car seats are installed incorrectly but car seat misuse was even higher among new parents, at 93%.”  

A correct installation is of paramount importance because if a seat is not correctly installed, and the child is not correctly strapped into the seat, it will fail to provide the level of safety and protection it was designed to afford in the event of a wreck.

What can you expect when during your Child Passenger Safety inspection?

Kreplak_Car_Installation

The first and most important goal of the program is to have every child who arrives at our station leave safer than when he or she came. 

Components of the Inspection:

  • Ensure the child has an appropriate seat for their age, weight, size, and the vehicle they will be riding in
  • Educate the parents, guardians, and anyone who will be transporting the child regarding the best practices to follow when installing the seat in their car
  • Demonstrate the proper way to secure a child in the seat
  • Check for any manufacturer recalls, safety, or defect issues
  • Ensure compatibility between the car seat and the vehicle
  • Provide additional information on other agency's child safety programs

Car Seat Distribution Program

The department has a limited number of child safety seats available for distribution. The goal of the distribution program is to ensure that a child leaves safer than when they arrived. Please contact us to ensure there are car seats available.

Additional Information

The North Carolina Child Passenger Safety Resource Center and https://www.safekids.org/ websites are excellent sources of additional information, including applicable North Carolina laws and statutes regarding seat belts and child passenger safety.

Additional Web Resources: