DRIVERS are set to miss out on a free life-saving perk due to budget cuts.
Safety officials who once helped catch a mistake that could cost the life of a child say they will no longer be able to offer the critical service.
Installing a child’s car seat may seem like a simple task but getting it wrong can put a child’s life at risk.
Yet many parents do — installing them incorrectly without even realizing it.
But one department that has been assisting with safety checks will no longer be able to do so.
Fairfax County officials have been working to close a more than $292 million dollar shortfall in next year’s budget.
As a result, some public safety services are being scrapped.
That includes the free child safety seat inspection program run by the Fairfax County Police Department.
Trained officers inspected more than 1,000 car seats each year and found that 80-90% were installed incorrectly.
Eliminating the program is expected to save just over $45,000 in overtime pay.
The department says the service was deemed non-essential and not part of its core law enforcement mission, as it does not directly impact crime prevention or response.
They released a statement on their website.
It stated: “We regret to inform you that effective immediately, the Fairfax County Police Department will no longer be offering child safety seat installation services.
“Unfortunately, this program was discontinued due to recent budget cuts and is no longer available through our department.”
The cut went into effect on July 1.
One parent said the service was especially important for new mothers.
“I think it’s a little bit complicated, so, especially that the regular for little small ones,” said Faith Bashore.
“It’s heavy. You have to do things at the back.
“It doesn’t really have any instructions so definitely if somebody doesn’t really know, then of course, somebody needs help when it comes to that.”
‘Important service for new mothers’
Faith’s son is seven and in a booster seat.
While she says her husband is of great help installing the seats, she believes the service was especially important for new mothers.
Another parent, Darianna Panigua, described the move as “a bad thing”.
“I think it’s going to be a big challenge cause like a lot of families need that support to make sure that their kids are safe and that they’re like well secured like when you’re driving’ said Darianna.
“I feel like it’s like a bad thing that they’re cutting the budget.”
Fairfax County police are urging families to seek alternative resources.
This includes contacting the Sheriff’s Office which can help ensure car seats are properly installed and children are safe.
How do I fit a child car seat?
A third of child car seats are fitted incorrectly, with one in 10 being so bad they are dangerous, according to UK researchers. Here is some advice to help you fit a child car seat correctly.
- Make sure the seat itself is fitted as securely as possible, with no excessive movement.
- You must only use a child car seat if your car’s seat belt has a diagonal strap, unless the seat is either specifically designed for use with a lap seat belt or isfitted using ISOFIX anchor points.
- You must also deactivate any front airbags before fitting a rear-facing baby seat in a front seat and not fit a child car seat in side-facing seats.
- And make sure the seat’s buckle is clear of its frame – because otherwise it could snap open if you have an accident.
- With babies, harnesses should be pulled tight, with no more than two fingers’ space under the shoulder straps at the collar bone.
- The harness buckle should be as low as possible, to keep the lap section of the harness across your child’s pelvis, and not resting on his or her stomach.
- Check the harness and chest pads are adjusted according to the instructions.
