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Union County to Resume Child Safety Seat Inspection Program on August 19

Union County, NJ – The Union County Freeholder Board informs residents that the Child Safety Seat Inspection Center will resume operation beginning Wednesday, August 19. Safety Seat inspections are conducted at the Garwood First Aid Squad, located at 401 2nd Avenue, every Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  

“The Child Safety Seat Inspection Program is a potentially life-saving service that has provided thousands of Union County residents with the opportunity to understand the requirements of New Jersey state law while working to keep our youngest residents safe in motor vehicles,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Safety seat inspections will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders, regarding social distancing and other protocols. Everyone, including children, is required to wear a mask and practice social distancing with others attending the inspection facility. It is recommended that whenever possible, only parents/caregivers and children essential to the inspection attend.

Certified child passenger safety technicians will check the car seat for proper installation and educate parents and guardians on using the seat correctly. Parents and caregivers should be prepared to assist with the installation of the car seats, unless they are elderly or physically incapable. Residents coming for an inspection are asked to read the owner’s manuals for both their vehicle and the car seat and attempt to install the seat before arriving.

The proper use and installation of child safety seats is one of the most effective methods for protecting the lives of children in the event of a motor vehicle accident. Union County first launched the Child Safety Seat Inspection Program in 1999, in response to surveys showing that the overwhelming majority of child safety seats are improperly installed, even though most users are confident that they know the correct procedure.

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.

The Child Safety 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.

Union County’s Child Safety Seat Inspection Program is run every Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and no appointment is necessary. The inspection program is closed on major holidays and during inclement weather.

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

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and a list of locations for walk-up tests, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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