By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
True or false: car seats should be installed with both a vehicle's safety belt and latch system: the answer is false. The car seat should be installed in accordance with both the vehicle and child seat manuals. The Barton County Health Department was one of two organizations in Kansas to receive the Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office's 2024 Child Passenger Safety Station of the Year designation. Tuesday morning, Sarahi Prieto and Christina Delgadillo were recognized by the Barton County Commission for their efforts. Prieto presented several other safety tips.
"A lot of people don't realize car seats have expiration dates," she said. "A lot of them are printed on the label. Some of them are just the manufacturing date and you have to refer to the car seat manual to get more information on the car seat. They also have QR codes on the manuals now so you can look up expiration dates. You can also find videos on how to properly install your car seats."
Car seats expire because the parts and materials used to make them eventually break down in the heat and cold and with the smaller impacts of routine stops during travel. Last year, the Barton County Health Department helped install 65 car seats. Delgadillo said that service continues.
"Preferably, if the child can be present, that way we can fit the straps and everything appropriately for that child it's recommended," she said.
The health department and Great Bend Fire Department offer free child seats as long as the child has KanCare, is enrolled in the WIC program, is receiving cash or food assistance, and participates in the Kansas Farm Worker Health Program. The health department will offer free car seat checks at the Community Baby Shower at Jack Kilby Square on June 13.