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Union County Offers Child Safety Seat Inspections and Other Traffic Safety Programs

Union County child safety seat inspection technician Cristallina Tharaldsen demonstrates the proper harness fit and location of the harness clip for a forward-facing car-seat with 2-year old county resident Eleanor Wilson-Newbury during a free inspection event sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. (Photo credit: Jim Lowney/County of Union).
Union County child safety seat inspection technician Cristallina Tharaldsen demonstrates the proper harness fit and location of the harness clip for a forward-facing car-seat with 2-year old county resident Eleanor Wilson-Newbury during a free inspection event sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. (Photo credit: Jim Lowney/County of Union).

As the spring weather approaches, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites residents to visit the County’s popular Child Safety Seat Inspection Center in Garwood.

The proper use of child safety seats is one of the simplest and most effective methods available for protecting the lives of young children in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

“This popular program offers parents and guardians the opportunity to make sure their child’s safety seat is properly adjusted and meets the New Jersey state law requirements,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Our trained safety technicians can help you get familiar with a new seat, or make adjustments to an older seat for a growing child.”

Union County’s popular Child Safety Seat Inspection Program is open every Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and is located at the Garwood Rescue Squad at 401 2nd Avenue in Garwood. Certified child passenger safety technicians will check the car seat for proper installation and educate parents and guardians on using the seat correctly.

New Jersey’s new child safety seat regulations took effect in September of 2015. The new State law requires parents to adhere to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for child passenger safety.

If you’re unable to visit the Child Safety Seat Inspection Center during operating hours, weather permitting, Union County’s mobile child seat inspection unit will offer child safety seat inspections at Plainfield High School (950 Park Ave) on Saturday, June 4th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

“The County’s mobile unit gives residents throughout the county a more convenient opportunity to have our experts assist with a child safety seat in their vehicle, and to be sure the seat meets the new state law regulations,” said Freeholder Linda Carter. “We are happy to bring the County’s Public Safety mobile unit to Plainfield this spring. I invite municipalities to contact our office to request a mobile inspection clinic at a community event this spring or summer.”

Residents are also invited to learn more about other traffic safety programs for children and seniors offered through the Department of Public Safety. Throughout the spring months, the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Police will be present at various community health fairs and street festivals with information about the County’s child safety seat inspection program, the CarFit program for seniors, and the bike helmet initiative. Stop by the Public Safety information table at the following events to learn more:
Thursday, April 28 – Family Fun Day / Health Fair in Plainfield
Saturday, April 30 – YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day / Health and Safety Fair in Rahway
Saturday, June 5 – ‘Garwood Rocks’ Street Festival in Garwood

The child seat inspection program is provided as a public service by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Union County Police Department, New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, AAA Northeast – NJ Division, and the Garwood First Aid Squad.

For more information about the car seat inspection program, the CarFit program for seniors, or the bicycle helmet safety initiative visit ucnj.org or contact Christine Marcantonio, Traffic Safety Program Coordinator, by email at cmarcantonio@ucnj.org or by phone at 908-789-6830.