LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — Did you know that 58 percent of all rear-facing car seats and 78 percent of all forward-facing car seats are installed incorrectly, according to the National Safety Council and AAA Mountain West Group?

That’s one of the reasons the Moore County Sheriff’s Department will participate in a Tennessee Highway Safety Office’s (THSO) National Child Passenger Safety Week event on Tuesday, September 19 at 1 p.m. They will host a car seat fitting station at the Moore Sheriff’s Office parking lot located at the Moore County Head Start Building located at 75 High Street.

“Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children in America,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “Anyone traveling with a child in the vehicle should feel confident that child is properly restrained. If you are in doubt, please visit a local fitting station to learn safety tips and access certified child passenger safety technicians.”

This is where the local car seat fitting station comes in. It will be staffed by a local Child Passenger Safety Technician, who will guide you through the process step-by-step. Local officials will also show you how to buckle up your little ones correctly to give you peace of mind.

“The best way to ensure your child is safe is to find a car seat that fits your child, fits the vehicle, and can be used correctly every time,” said Julie Brewer, Tennessee Child Passenger Safety State Coordinator. “By visiting www.CarSeatSafety.kids, parents and caregivers across Tennessee can search for local resources. More events are being added daily. If you don’t see an event in your area, check the map and call the local fitting station to see if they are accepting appointments.”

The service is free and if you can’t make it to the Lynchburg car seat fitting station, there are also events happening in Bedford County as well at Shelbyville Police Department located at 109 Lane Parkway. For a complete list of all Car Seat Fitting Stations, click here. •

{The Lynchburg Times is a nonpartisan community newspaper serving Lynchburg, Tennessee and the surrounding counties. We also provide news and information for the 350,000 folks who come to Lynchburg to visit The Jack Daniel’s Distillery each year. We are dedicated to public service journalism for the greater good of our community. You can support us, by clicking here.}