University Police at the State University of New York at Fredonia are hosting a free car seat safety check for parents and caregivers on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

The safety check, held in conjunction with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, the Westfield Police Department, and Chautauqua Safety Village, will be held at the Facilities Services complex off Ring Road on the SUNY Fredonia campus.

Booster seats reduce the risk of nonfatal injuries by 45 percent among 4 to 8-year-old children compared to the seat belt alone. Yet one study has shown that car seats and booster seats are improperly installed or misused 46 percent of the time. Those statistics spurred UPD Dispatcher Stephanie Price to organize this event.

“Not only do we have the Children and Community Children’s Center on campus, but the surrounding community utilizes the campus for many youth activities such as sporting events and camps,” said Price, UPD’s first and only certified technician. “With National Car Seat Safety Day coming up on September 24, having University Police partner with our surrounding law enforcement agencies seemed like the perfect opportunity to educate those who utilize the campus daycare as well as the other campus facilities on the importance of proper fit, installation and use of car seats and booster seats.”

Trained technicians will educate parents and caregivers on how to choose and properly install the appropriate seat for their child’s age, size, and vehicle so that it can be used correctly every time.

For more information, contact Price at (716) 673-3333 or email upd@fredonia.edu