MoDOT to host Show Me Child Safety Fair Saturday, September 24

Fun activities for entire family

ST. LOUIS - Most parents and caregivers with small children do their best and believe their car seats are installed correctly. Unfortunately, they are wrong. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 46% of car seats are installed incorrectly. A correctly installed car seat can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by 71%.

As part of Child Passenger Safety Week (September 18-24),  MoDOT along with community safety partners will host a Show Me Safety Fair. The fair will be held on Saturday, September 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grace Church located at 2695 Creve Couer Mill Road in Maryland Heights.

During the fair, child safety seat technicians will provide education and car seat inspections for proper installation, usage, expiration and recall. If it is determined that the child needs a new car seat, one will be installed at no cost. In addition, there will be free food and fun activities for the entire family.

Organizations that provided resources to make this event possible are Grace Church, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Safe Kids St. Louis, Healthy Blue and Maryland Heights Fire Protection District. 

While child passenger safety has evolved and state laws requiring child safety restraints have resulted in more children being buckled up, road injuries remain the leading cause of unintentional death to children in the United States.

Quick Tips for Families:

Wear your seat belt: Be sure everyone else in the car buckles up, too. When adults wear seat belts, kids use car seats, booster seats and seat belts. Set a good example and buckle up every ride, every time.

Place kids under 13 in a back seat:  It’s the safest place for them to ride.

Never leave your child alone in a car, even for a minute: A car can heat up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes.

Make sure your child is riding safely. Visit a car seat checkup event to see if you are using your car seat correctly. Common errors include a loose harness, not using the seat belt or LATCH system to properly secure a car seat, failing to correctly use the tether and being unaware of the risks of using a second-hand car seat or booster. A certified child passenger safety technician can help you protect your child.

Districts Involved
St. Louis