Free Car Seat Safety Checks Offered Sept. 27 at 2542 Old Happy Jack Road in Cheyenne

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Every year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) observes Child Passenger Safety Week, held this year Sept. 21–27. The week culminates with National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 27, a day for parents and caregivers to receive free instruction on how to correctly install and use the right car seats for their children.

Safe Kids Laramie County announced today that certified child passenger safety technicians will offer free car seat checks on Seat Check Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2542 Old Happy Jack Road. Technicians will help parents and caregivers determine the right seats for their children and demonstrate the correct installation.

What: Free Car Seat Checks by Certified Technicians
When: Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: 2542 Old Happy Jack Road, Cheyenne, Wyo.

“Unfortunately, many parents are overconfident about their car seats,” said Victoria Ingerle, child injury prevention coordinator at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. “They think they’re protecting their kids, but almost half of car seats are either the wrong seat for the child’s age and size, or the seats are installed incorrectly. That puts children at risk.”

According to NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children. In 2023, an average of two children under 14 were killed daily in crashes, and another 345 were injured while riding in passenger vehicles.
“We know parents love their kids,” Ingerle added. “An easy way to protect them is to double-check their car seats — it’s worth making sure.”

When it comes to child passengers, there is a right seat for every age and developmental stage — from infants to teens. Whether rear-facing, forward-facing, a booster seat, or a seat belt, a certified child passenger safety technician can give parents peace of mind by confirming which seat is correct and showing how to install it properly. Children should stay in each seat and position until they outgrow the height or weight limits, and all children under 13 should ride in the back seat.

Parents and caregivers unable to attend Saturday’s event can find a certified technician in their community by visiting www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/car-seats-and-booster-seats#installation-help-inspection. Search filters include Spanish-speaking technicians, virtual appointments, and local Child Passenger Safety Week events.
NHTSA.gov also offers free resources to help caregivers learn about car seat types, review recommendations, and compare options.

Parents are encouraged to register car seats with the manufacturer to receive recall notifications. They can also download NHTSA’s SaferCar app, which allows users to save vehicle, car seat, and tire information in a virtual garage and receive recall alerts.

For more information on child passenger safety, visit NHTSA.gov/therightseat.

Safe Kids Laramie County is led by Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. This coalition provides dedicated and caring staff, operation support and other resources to achieve the shared goal of keeping kids safe. Based on community needs, this coalition implements evidence-based programs such as car-seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics that help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries.