Safe Kids Johnston County Celebrates Child Passenger Safety Week

Safe Kids Johnston County Celebrates Child Passenger Safety Week

Johnston County, NC — Safe Kids Johnston County is celebrating Child Passenger Safety Week, from September 21-27. As a special designation recently proclaimed by the Johnston County Board of Commissioners, the week recognizes the importance of keeping kids safe in cars and on the road.

 “Last year, we checked 174 car seats in Johnston County, and a staggering 79% were being used incorrectly,” stated Jennifer Williams, Safe Kids Johnston County Coordinator. "With over 50 certified child passenger safety technicians in Johnston County, we are actively working to decrease car seat misuse and provide every family with life-saving information and resources."

 To kick off Child Passenger Safety Week, Safe Kids Johnston County is hosting a free car seat check event on Saturday, September 20th, in collaboration with the Clayton Police and Fire Departments. Families can visit the Walmart in Clayton from 9 am to 1 pm and receive free, one-on-one instruction from a certified technician on how to properly install and use their child's car seat. Safe Kids Johnston County Coordinator, Jennifer Williams, presenting the Child Passenger Safety Week Proclamation.

Technicians will help verify the child is in the correct seat for their height and weight and will teach caregivers how to recognize when it’s time to move to a new seat.

 “Caregivers always want the best for their children, but it’s easy to feel overly confident about a car seat’s safety. Recent studies show that nearly half of car seats are either not the right fit for the child’s age and size or are installed incorrectly," Williams explains. “Taking just a few minutes to double-check your child’s car seat is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep them safe.”

 
Families who are unable to attend the event can contact Safe Kids Johnston County to schedule an appointment or request assistance in locating a local Permanent Checking Station by calling or texting 919-750-3703.

 About Safe Kids Johnston County

Safe Kids Johnston County is a coalition of local agencies and individuals dedicated to protecting the children of our community from preventable injuries. Our mission is to reduce death and injury among children in Johnston County through proactive prevention, timely intervention, and impactful education.  Supported by a strong network of community partners committed to raising awareness and promoting safety, we envision a future where every child in Johnston County is safe from unintentional injuries. Together, we are building a safer tomorrow—one child, one family, and one community at a time. For more information, contact Jennifer Williams, Safe Kids Johnston County Coordinator, at 919-750-3703 or jwilliams@pfcjc.org.