September is National Child Passenger Safety Month and a good time to make sure your baby or child’s car seat is installed properly.
Each county in Central Maryland offers inspection stations or events to have your child’s seat checked. The car seat check is one of the best ways to determine if you are using your child’s car seat correctly, according to Maryland Kids in Safety Seats, which is part of the Maryland Department of Heath and Mental Hygiene. On average, almost 75 percent of all child safety seats inspected in Maryland are improperly installed or misused, according to KISS.
Here are some things to expect when attending a car seat check:
- If possible take your child so the technician can see how he or she fits in the seat. If you are unable to take your child, place a piece of tape on the car seat level with your child’s shoulders.
- Pre-install the car seat to the best of your ability. Read through your vehicle owner’s manual (car seat section) and car seat manual prior to the appointment. Bring all manuals with you that day.
- Be ready to fill out a form providing your name, address, the child’s name, weight, height and age; and the year, make, model and mileage of your car. Unless required by law, your personal information will be used for identification purposes and data collection only.
- Plan on spending approximately 30 minutes per car seat, to fully assess and learn how to use your child’s safety seat.
- Take a spouse, friend or relative to help keep an eye on your child while you are working with the technician to install your child safety seat.
- Ask questions and be prepared to be involved in the checking process.
Places to get your child’s safety seat checked in Maryland
Safety seat inspections are available at various locations, often by appointment and/or on certain dates. Here are some organizations and events providing car seat checks in Maryland:
Anne Arundel County
Car seat checks are available at:
- Fitzgerald Annapolis locations at 34 Hudson St. and 1930 West St. For appointments, call 301-548-4847, preferably six weeks in advance.
- Anne Arundel Community College, 101 College Pkwy., Arnold, 410-777-2440.
Appointments are required at both locations.
September car seat check events are planned for:
- Sept. 16 at Fitzgerald Auto Mall in Annapolis, 2-5 p.m. No appointment necessary.
- Sept. 21 at Odenton Regional Library, 1325 Annapolis Rd., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Call the library at 410-222-6277 to make an appointment, which takes 45 minutes.
Calvert County
Call the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office at 410-535-2800 to schedule an appointment. Inspections are held on Thursdays only.
A safety seat inspection event will be held at the Calvert County Health Fair Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at SMILE, 10290 H.G. Trueman Rd., Lusby.
Howard County
Inspections are usually held the third Monday of the month at the Clarksville Volunteer Fire Department, 5000 Signal Bell Lane. To schedule an appointment, call 410-313-6090 and leave a message.
The next inspection is Sept. 21, 4-5:30 p.m. Call in advance to schedule an appointment as appointments fill quickly.
Prince George’s County
Several police stations in Prince George’s County will install car seats by appointment. Two locations that offer the service are:
- Laurel Police Department at 350 Municipal Square, 301-498-0092
- District II Station at 601 Crain Hwy., Upper Marlboro, 301-390-2100
Cranford/Graves Fire Services Building also does installation and checks by appointment at 6820 Webster St., Landover Hills, 301-583-1964.
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital holds car seat safety inspections the third Saturday of the month, 2:30-4:30 p.m., by appointment except during December, January and February. The next one is Sept. 19. Contact Pam Austin at 301-877-5740 or [email protected] to make an appointment.
Queen Anne’s/Kent counties
Call 410-810-0125 and ask for Robin to schedule an appointment.
Also, the Fitzgerald Auto Mall at 11411 Rockville Pike in Rockville holds monthly inspections the third Thursday of the month, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., except when schools are closed for weather.
For additional car seat inspection events, check the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Family Health Administration calendar.
By Betsy Stein
