Franciscan St. Anthony Health Becomes State Child Safety Seat Inspection Site

rot2Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point will offer free permanent child safety seat inspections as a state-certified station beginning Aug. 11.

State law requires children under age 8 to be restrained in a safety seat or booster seat. Other restrictions also apply.

The local program will be overseen by Jennifer Homan, trauma program coordinator for Franciscan St. Anthony Health and Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer, which plans to begin offering inspections in the near future.

Homan is a nationally certified child safety seat technician who will inspect seats and instruct families in how to properly secure them in vehicles.

“You would be surprised at how many parents do not have them properly installed or secured, or who use outdated seats,” she said, adding that most people are unaware that car seats have an expiration date.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, 73 percent of seats are not used or installed correctly, which can lead to serious injury or death in the event of an accident.

The program is funded by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute with technical support provided by Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.

Inspections at Franciscan St. Anthony Heath will be done by appointment, outside of the Emergency Department.

For more information or to make an appointment, call (219) 757-6218.