September 15, 2004
Stephanie Wade, ER Nurse, assists Belinda Clifton and youg Jade with their car seat fit.
YKHC Injury Prevention and Emergency Medical Services
On Saturday, August 21, the weather was warm, the sun was shining, and Bethel's children became a little safer, thanks to the efforts of YKHC's Injury Control and EMS Department and the Bethel Police Department, who hosted the annual Child Safety Seat Checkpoint in front of the YKHC Administration Building.
This was a great opportunity for families to see if their car seats were installed properly, and many took advantage of it. Twelve vehicles stopped by the checkpoint, with 16 children in tow. Volunteers inspected each child safety seat to see if it was installed correctly and made corrections if needed. If the person had an outdated child safety seat, or arrived with none at all, car seats and booster seats were provided and installed at no charge. Thanks to the state of Alaska Department of Health and Human Services for providing car seats.
A number of people came by just to ask questions or inquire about child safety seats.
Volunteers and participants alike gathered in the warm weather to enjoy hot dogs, chips and juice, and children gleefully played in the parking lot. Information about the proper use of child safety seats was handed out to parents as they waited for their car seats to be inspected.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under one year of age should be in a rear-facing child safety seat; children up to 40 pounds should be in a forward-facing child safety seat; and children from 40 to 80 pounds should be in a booster seat.
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped run the checkpoint: Kyla Hagan, Tom Fazzini, Jonica Thomas, and Emily Koehler-Platten of the YKHC Injury Control and EMS Department; Stephanie Wade of the YKHC Hospital Emergency Room; and Charlie Sidell of the Bethel Police Department. Thank you to Swanson's for donating food, and to Corrina's for donated beverages. Thank you also to the State of Alaska Dept. of Health and Human Services for providing the car seats.
If you missed the event and want a car seat or booster seat for your child, or if you want to see if your current car seat is installed correctly, contact the YKHC Injury Control Department at 543-6188.