To ensure the safety of the youngest members of our community, the Franklin Police Department is stepping up for National Child Passenger Safety Week. With stats indicating that nearly half of all car seats and boosters are used incorrectly, the Franklin Police Department is hosting a car seat safety check event aimed at reducing the risk of injury to children on our roads. This free event is slated for Tuesday, September 17, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Academy of Westhaven, located at 114 Prospect Ave.
Franklin's finest won't just be there to lend a hand with installations; they'll also be checking to make sure that car seats already strapped in are up to snuff. It's a significant outreach, considering the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's finding that a correctly installed car seat can reduce the risk of injury in a crash by 71%-82% for children, compared to seat belt use alone. Parents and caregivers are invited to make sure their car seats are part of the correctly used 54%.
The event is part of a larger national campaign running from September 15-21, which shines a spotlight on the ways to keep kids secured in vehicles. Police officers will provide hands-on assistance and share their knowledge on how to properly protect the little ones during every car trip. According to the City of Franklin, "If installed appropriately, car seat use reduces the risk for injury in a crash by 71%-82% for children, when compared with seat belt use alone."
