Did you know that car crashes are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 13? Correctly used child safety seat can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71% and yet only 17% of car seats in Broome County are being used correctly. Our Child Passenger Safety Program is designed to help educate parents and caregivers about how to safely transport their children and reduce the chance of misuse.

Child Passenger Safety Awareness Programs:

Education is key!

We provide presentations for parents and caregivers on best practice guidelines, New York State laws and current child passenger safety recommendations.
We also provide child passenger safety awareness trainings for community agencies who provide services to families and caregivers and/or transport children.
Interested in becoming a Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician? We offer at least two trainings per year in our region for those interested in becoming a trained technician.

Child Passenger Safety Education and Distribution Program:

Parents and caregivers may be eligible to receive a free child safety seat through our Education and Distribution Program.

Eligibility:

Must be receiving public assistance through either WIC, DSS and/or Medicaid.
Must must watch the required online video and complete a 10-question survey. This is an education program and is designed to teach parents and caregivers about the proper ways to transport children safely.
Must participate in the Hands-On Appointment. At this appointment, you will meet one-on-one with a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and receive your free seat. You must demonstrate proper installation and harnessing before you leave. You must bring your vehicle and child receiving the seat. The Hands-On Appointments are held at four different locations: Broome County Health Department, Union Volunteer Emergency Squad, Endicott Fire Department and Johnson City Fire Department.
Child receiving seat and parent/guardian of child must be present at the time of the hands-on appointment. We cannot distribute seats to caseworkers, friends, or family members.
Car seats are provided by a grant from the NYS Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and all grant requirements must be followed.

Please note we cannot always accommodate "last minute" or "emergency situations," so be sure to give us ample time to schedule your appointments.

To sign up for this program: please call (607)778-2807

Click here for Broome County Child Passenger Safety Education and Distribution Program Flyer

Fitting Stations:

Need help with a car seat installation or want to make sure your child is safely in the car seat? Make an appointment at any of our local fitting station. Certified technicians can help you determine if you have the right car seat based on your child's age, weight and height, that it is properly installed in the vehicle using either the LATCH or seat belt system and that the child is properly harnessed. If you would prefer a virtual inspection through either Facetime, Zoom or Skype, please call 607-778-2807. Virtual inspections are not available at every Fitting Station.

AAA Northway

3701 Vestal Parkway East, Suite 9, Vestal

(607) 722-7255

By appointment only.

Binghamton Police Department

38 Hawley Street, Binghamton

(607) 772-7095

By appointment only.

Broome County Health Department

Located at the Broome County Sheriff's Office in the upper garage

155 Lt. Van Winkle Drive, Binghamton

(607) 778-2807

By appointment only.

Endicott Fire Department

224 Madison Avenue, Endicott

(607) 754-2466

By appointment only.

Union Volunteer Emergency Squad

8 South Avenue B, Endwell

(607) 754-3414 ext. 223 or visit http://www.unionems.com/

By appointment only.

Vestal Police Department

605 Vestal Parkway West, Vestal

(607) 754-2386 ext 481

By appointment only.

New York State Police

Location varies

(607) 561-7605

By appointment only.

Johnson City Fire Department

320 Harry L Drive, Johnson City

carseats@jcfd.org

By appointment only.

Child Safety Seat Check Events:

During a child safety seat check event, Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians are available to help families and caregivers with their child passenger safety needs, similar to our Fitting Stations. However, no appointment is necessary. Participants are assisted on a first come, first served basis.

When attending an event, be sure to bring:

Your child
You child safety seat
Your vehicle
Child safety seat and vehicle owners manuals, if available

Upcoming Events:

We are winding down for the season! Check back with us in the spring for upcoming child safety seat check events! In the meantime, call any of our fitting stations for a car seat appointment.

New York State Law:

All children must use an appropriate child restraint until their 8th birthday. A seat belt is not an appropriate child restraint.

NEW: All children must ride in a rear-facing seat until at least age 2 .

Did you know?

Car seats expire? Generally car seats are good for at least 6 years from the date they were manufactured. Always check the stickers and in the manual for the expiration date.
Always read the manual for the car seat AND the manual for the vehicle before attempting to install your seat. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you are unsure about your installation, contact a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.
Do not modify your seat. Modifications can compromise the safety of the seat and it may not perform well in a crash.
Once your seat is installed by either the seat belt system or the LATCH system, it should be tight enough so it does not move more than 1" from side-to-side or from front-to-back.