Child safety seat checkpoint Sept. 16 in Sunridge

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is hosting a car safety seat checkpoint 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 16 at East Fork Fire Station 12 on Sunridge Drive.

Capt. Mike Biaggini said the checkpoint would be held in conjunction with Carson City's Women, Infants and Children program.

Trained technicians will be on hand for free inspection and expert installation of children's car safety seats, or to provide safety seats for families.

Since 2000, Biaggini has administered the sheriff's office child seat safety installation and inspection program with a grant from the federal Office of Traffic Safety, and the assistance of the Carson Valley Kiwanis Club.

For $45, a family can purchase a new car seat that technicians will install. Free or reduced price seats are available for families in need.

Biaggini said from May 2000, when the grant was first awarded, to July 2009, 1,732 parents have been educated in the proper use, installation and importance of safety seats.

Some 2,100 seats have been inspected, and, of those, 380 were removed because of defects.

Through the grants, 405 seats were distributed to first-time users, 414 seats were replaced for children who outgrew them, and 438 seats were given away.

Biaggini emphasized that no enforcement action is taken against motorists without child safety seats.

"Parents are there to find out what to do, and take care of their kids," he said.

Parents or caregivers don't have to be Douglas County residents. He said installation takes about 20-30 minutes. Information is available in English and Spanish.

DETAILS

Child car safety seat checkpoint, East Fork Fire Station 12, 3620 N. Sunridge Dr., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 16.