Plum EMS officials know making sure a car seat is properly installed in a vehicle and a child is safely secured prior to travel can be a challenge.
That is why borough emergency responders are providing an opportunity to show parents and caregivers how to overcome that challenge this weekend.
A free car seat safety check is planned for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department station at 415 Old Abers Creek Road.
EMS director of operations Brian Maloney said this is his department’s third major car seat check in the past four years. The annual event was canceled in 2019.
He said they chose to host it at the fire department instead of the EMS station to have more room and serve more people. Its educational purpose remains the same.
“This can be a confusing ordeal or task to take on sometimes, like it’s in a foreign language,” Maloney said. “We break down and educate these people on how to do it. It’s not just to put the seats in. It’s to make sure those kids are going to be the safest ones in that vehicle. It can easily prevent a tragic injury in case of a vehicle crash.”
Allegheny County police will be assisting with the safety checks. Firefighters, borough police and members of the Allegheny County Health Department, PennDOT and the American Academy of Pediatrics also are expected to participate in the event.
“We’re trying to do it in a spot that can house several vehicles,” Maloney said. “There is a multi-agency approach to this.”
Free food and beverages will be provided. Registration is required.
More information is available at the Plum EMS Facebook page or call 412-793-4801.
