Martinsville Fire & EMS Dept. to hold child seat check event

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WSLS 10) - New parents? Wondering the proper way to install a child car seat in your vehicle? Well, you're in luck. 

The Martinsville Fire & EMS Department along with the Pregnancy Care Center of MHC and Virginia State Police are holding a child seat check event on this Saturday, June 6.

The event will be from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Martinsville Fire & EMS - Company 1 located at 65 W. Church Street.

Officials say it's estimated that up to 80 percent of children riding in car seats are riding in seats that are installed incorrectly. Car seat use reduces the risk for death to infants, less than one year of age, by 71 percent and toddlers, age 1 – 4 years of age, by 54 percent.  

A child 4-8 years of age, properly secured in a booster seat, is 45 percent less likely to be injured in a crash versus a child secured by a seat belt.  

Officials say seat belt use by older children and adults reduces the risk of injury by half. All those who transport children are encouraged to take advantage of this service.