State Rep. Walker to Host Free Child Safety Seat Check with Arlington Heights Police

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – To help raise awareness about the recent changes to the Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act and ensure that children are safe and secure while in the car, state Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, is hosting a Child Safety Seat Check event on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of the Arlington Heights Police Department, located at 200 E. Sigwalt St. in Arlington Heights.

“It’s an unfortunate fact that four out of five car seats aren’t used correctly,” Walker said. “Children, especially those under the age of two, are especially at risk of serious injury or death if their car seat is not being used properly. I’m pleased to be partnering with the Arlington Heights Police Department for this event dedicated to public safety.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are the leading cause of death of children. However, car seats are shown to reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers. The Child Safety Seat Check is also a great time to learn more about the Jan. 2019 changes to the Child Passenger Protection Act which, among other regulations, require children under the age of two must be in rear-facing car seats and children under the age of eight must be secured in an appropriate safety seat.

“We will have a number of certified car seat technicians from the Arlington Heights Police Department on hand to check safety seats and show parents the appropriate way to secure their child in their car seat,” Walker said. “While ensuring our children’s safety is of the utmost importance, it’s also important to remind folks that everyone, driver and passenger alike, should also wear their seat belt. Thousands of lives are saved every year by children sitting properly in their car seats and by adults wearing their seat belts.”