Free Child Safety Seat Checks/Installation in Beekman Health Quest is pleased to be partnering with Beekman Fire Department to offer a free car seat safety seat check and installation station on the first Friday of every month at the Beekman Fire House (316 Beekman Poughquag Rd.). A nationally certified car seat technician will be on hand for the first event of 2013 on Friday, January 4th from 6:30-9:30 pm. Start the New Year off knowing your child is safe. Your FREE seat check by a National Certified Technician will include:  What type of safety seat or seat belt properly fits your child  How to properly install your child’s safety seat into your vehicle  How to properly secure your child in the safety seat or belt  The current recommendations for child safety and limits of your current safety seat  Technicians also provide information on child seat needs as they progress though different stages of development and solutions for children with special needs. Safety Seats are for children up to age eight by law. Infants must remain in rear-facing car seats until they are a minimum of 1 year old and a minimum of 20 lbs. It’s recommended by the American Association of Pediatrics that children remain in rear-facing position car seats until 2 years of age. Children above age two should remain in a traditional forward-facing car seat with a 5 point harness as long as possible. Once the child exceeds the weight limits for a traditional 5 point harness car seat and are at a minimum of 4 years of age (weight limits vary depending on the manufacturer) the child may be placed in a booster seat until they are at a minimum of eight years old but ideally until they can fit properly in a seat belt without the aid of a booster. The American Association of Pediatrics recommends that children above 2 years of age remain in a forward facing 5 point harness seat as long as possible before moving to a booster seat. That means some children that have seats with higher weight limits will remain in their car seat longer before moving to a booster. For example you may have a six year old child in a car seat with a 5 point harness that goes up to 65 lbs and the child is currently 50 lbs. That means the child should remain in the 5 point harness seat until they reach 65 lbs. Once that child is over the 65lb limit they may be moved to a booster seat and the age that it is appropriate to do so varies upon the weight, size and capabilities of your child. HAVE A NEW BABY ON THE WAY? We encourage you to get your child safety seats purchased, checked and installed 4 weeks prior to your due date. This will ensure you are fully prepared for your new arrival and will not be delayed at the hospital during discharge. Technicians educate you on proper install, safety recommendations, current laws, will check for recalls on your safety seat, make sure the seat is compatible with the vehicle manufacturer and explain the limits of your car seat. Technicians also complete car bed installations for babies who require a special needs seat due to low birth weight or other developmental concerns that may require initial treatment in a NICU unit. Did you know… • The American Association of Pediatrics recommends children remain in a rear facing seat until at least two years of age? • Car Seats Expire? • Not all seats may be installed using LATCH in the back seat center position of the vehicle? • Rear facing Infant Seats should be installed at a 45 degree angle? • Car Seats are only meant to withstand one crash? • Your rear facing seat may have a tether, rebound bar or adjustable foot ? Please bring your children so they can be fitted to their current seats. Appointments are recommended. Please call 475-9742 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Additional times & locations are available. Upcoming Dates in Beekman for 2013: January 4, 2013 February 1, 2013 March 1, 2013 April 5, 2013 May 3, 2013 June 7, 2013 July 5, 2012 August 2, 2013 September 6, 2013 October 4, 2013 November 1, 2013 December 6, 2013