Free events held Sept. 19, 2022, part of statewide promotion of proper car seat and booster seat use

Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue is participating in Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 18 – 24, 2022, and hosting a Seat Check Event on Monday , Sept. 19, 2022 from 1:30 PM until 4:30 PM at Kinston Fire Station 1 across from the Historic Grainger Stadium. These events encourage North Carolina parents and caregivers to make sure their car seats and booster seats fit their children properly and that the seats are correctly installed in vehicles.

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians are available at the following locations to assist CITY OF KINSTON AND SURROUNDING LENOIR COUNTY families prior to and after the Child Passenger Safety Week, by appointment with their car seats (252-939-3164):

• Appointment – Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM at Kinston Fire Station 1 – 401 E Vernon Avenue, Kinston, North Carolina 28501 

• Appointment – Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM at Kinston Fire Station 2 – 3428 Carey Road, Kinston, North Carolina 28504 

• E Appointment – Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM at Kinston Fire Station 3 – 1247 Hill Farm Road, Kinston, North Carolina 28504 

While Child Passenger Safety Week provides a key opportunity to encourage the safe installation and use of car seats and booster seats in September, these safety measures are critical throughout the year. The facts surrounding North Carolina child passenger safety are sobering:  

• Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children aged one to 13 years old.

• An average of 60,000 children aged zero to 15 years old were involved in motor vehicle crashes between 2016 and 2020 in North Carolina.

• Among children under the age of 15 who were killed or seriously injured in passenger vehicle crashes, thirty-one percent were unrestrained (North Carolina data from 2016-2020).

“North Carolina has one of the strongest child passenger safety programs in the country with over 3,200 nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians across the state,” said Bevan Kirley, Senior Research Associate at the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center.“ These dedicated professionals serve their communities every day and are committed to helping families make sure their kids are riding safely in the car. Child Passenger Safety Week is a celebration of their efforts and a reminder to families to have their car seats checked.” 

“This is a Great time to check your Child Passenger Safety Seats, as our children are returning to school,” said Captain Will Barss, Fire Life Safety Education Officer for the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue.

Visit Buckleupnc.org for North Carolina car seat and seat belt information. 

The Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue is dedicated in placing the highest priority in serving the community to keep them and their property safe.  We value the community’s assistance in all matters dealing with life safety, fire prevention.