CHESTER – When it comes to protecting children on the road, even well-cared-for car seats may not be as safe as they appear. Memorial Hospital is helping parents and grandparents take the guesswork out of car seat safety by offering free car seat inspections led by certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician Zach Dunker.
Recently, Memorial Hospital nurses took advantage of the service, not because they doubted their setups, but because they wanted reassurance.
Kim Ruebke, ER Nurse Manager and grandmother to children ranging in age from 12 to 2, has always kept a car seat in her vehicle to safely transport her grandchildren. The seats looked great, had never been in an accident, and had been stored carefully. What she learned during her inspection surprised her: the seats were expired. One by only a couple months, but it had hit its replacement date.
Many car seats expire after a certain number of years because plastic weakens over time due to exposure to heat, cold, and everyday wear, even when damage isn’t visible. “Just because the seat looks fine doesn’t mean it’s safe,” Kim shared. Her experience is a reminder to grandparents who may keep a car seat on hand “just in case” that age matters just as much as condition.
Sara Harris, Med Surge Nurse Manager and a mom of two, also had her children’s car seats checked. Despite carefully reading the manuals and installing them correctly to the best of her knowledge, the inspection taught her important details she hadn’t previously considered, like how different brands have different expiration timelines and that accessories such as mirrors and cameras can pose safety risks in a crash.
Even with confidence in her installation, Sara found value in having a second set of trained eyes review every step. “There are so many components to car seat safety, it’s easy to miss something,” she noted, adding that having an expert confirm everything was set properly provided reassurance she didn’t know she needed.
According to Dunker, car seats should be regularly checked for proper installation and expiration dates, even if they’ve never been in a collision. “All car seats have an expiration date, have you checked yours recently?” he said. Along with product inspection, Dunker provides a thorough examination of how your child is retrained in the car seat. Are the straps, positioning, and car seat itself the right fit for your child’s height and weight. It is recommended that children attend the inspection, to make sure that they are buckled up properly and adjustments can be made for a secure fit.
Memorial Hospital offers free car seat checks on Fridays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, by appointment only. These inspections include: a hands-on check of your car seat installation, verification of expiration dates and safety standards, education tailored to your child’s age and growth, and answers to common car seat safety questions.
Whether you are a new parent, a seasoned caregiver, or a grandparent wanting to keep grandchildren safe, this service is designed for you. Free car seats can be scheduled under the events tab on Memorial Hospital’s website, www.mhchester.com. Because when safety counts the most, what you don’t know could matter.