Free Child Safety Seat Inspection Event Thursday

Parents who want to ensure their children are safely riding in car seats have an opportunity to get seats inspected and have special child identification cards made at an event Thursday.

The Illinois Tollway is hosting the free Kids Identification and Safety Seat (KISS) inspection in nearby Glendale Heights at the Walgreens located at 2040 Glen Ellyn Road. Along with the safety inspections there will be games and giveaways for children. Refreshments will also be available. 

“KISS events provide free safety seat checks and ID cards to help keep children safe whether they’re on or off the road,” Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said in a news release.  "With more than 80 percent of safety seats in Illinois installed incorrectly, these events provide a valuable service and peace of mind for parents, grandparents and caregivers."

During the event, parents and caregivers can have special identification cards made, according to the Illinois Tollway. Specially trained professionals will be on hand taking the photos for the identification cards. Those attending will receive three ID cards, two for wallet and one home. The IDs are not stored, but given to families for safe keeping in case of an emergency.

To participate, parents, grandparents and caregivers should bring child safety seats, children and the vehicle in which the child safety seats will be installed, according to the Illinois Tollway.  Information on recalls and recall detection, correct positioning, correct sizing to protect the child most effectively, plus additional safety information and resources will be offered at these events. 

The Illinois Tollway offers this information on child safety seat basics:

• The safest place for infants, toddlers and young children to ride is in the back seat with the appropriate child safety seat for their age and weight. 
• Some of the more common problems inspectors pinpoint include too much slack in harness straps, not properly anchoring the car seat, improper seat size for the child’s weight and the need for booster seats for older children.
• Infants should ride rear-facing until 2 years of age, longer if possible, to protect their developing muscles and bones.  Rear-facing child safety seats protect a growing baby’s head, neck and back in an accident. 
• Toddlers and young children up to age 4 should ride in a child safety seat with an internal harness until they reach the maximum harness limit of up to 40 pounds.
• A booster seat is the most effective way to position a safety belt properly on a young child's growing body.  Safety belts are designed for adults who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. 
• Until age 8, most children have not developed strong hipbones and their legs and body are too short for the adult safety belt to fit correctly, without use of a booster seat. 
• Last year, certified child passenger safety technicians checked a total of 436 child safety seats.

The KISS event will be held Thursday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Walgreens located at 2040 Glen Ellyn Road. For more information, visit the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com.