As temperatures drop and winter coats come out, local parents are being reminded that properly securing children in car seats is more important than ever. The Hometown Police Department is offering free child passenger safety seat inspections to ensure little passengers stay safe during the cold-weather months.
Certified technicians will check for proper seat installation, verify height and weight fit, and provide hands-on safety education to parents and caregivers. Winter jackets, officials say, can make a critical difference in how securely children are buckled. A thick coat between a child and the harness can leave extra slack in the straps, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the seat in a crash.
Hometown Police Department officials said many parents don’t realize that bulky winter clothing can prevent a car seat harness from fitting snugly and that even in cold weather, children should be buckled tightly before coats or blankets are layered over the harness.
Detective Commander Nathan Haubenreiser, who oversees the initiative, said the program hits close to home.
“The Child Passenger Safety Seat Initiative is something that we take seriously at HPD. Being a parent myself, I was surprised to learn about child safety seats and the correct way to install and inspect them. I quickly realized that all of my child safety seats were installed incorrectly! Being able to educate the public on something that is so critical is our main goal. Children rely on us as parents to belt them in safely, so when the inevitable crash does happen, we hope for the least amount of injury possible. We hope to use this training and the resources provided to educate and do our part to make sure every child on the road is on the road safely.”
The inspections are designed for families with new or existing car seats, including booster and convertible models. Technicians will guide caregivers through proper installation, fit adjustments, and general safety tips to ensure every ride is as safe as possible.
Families are encouraged to bring their vehicle, the car seat, and the child if possible. Manuals for both the car seat and vehicle are recommended but not required.
The service is free and available by appointment at the Hometown Police Department, located at 4331 Southwest Hwy. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 708-422-2188 during business hours, Monday through Friday, or by emailing nhaubenreiser@cityofhometown.org.
Properly installed car seats remain one of the most effective ways to protect children in a crash, and local police hope this program will help keep families safe during the winter season.