The City of Salisbury, NC

Letter to the Editor of the Salisbury Post Newspaper

It was certainly a tragic accident that occurred on Interstate 85 on Oct. 5, where a 22-month-old child died after being ejected from a vehicle during a traffic accident involving a rollover. Our heart-felt sympathy is extended to the family and others involved.

The Salisbury Fire Department responds to dozens of traffic accidents involving children each year. We estimate that over 90 percent of the child restraint seats that we have checked over the years are installed incorrectly. Firefighters and rescuers know firsthand the feelings of responding to a car crash and finding children sometimes critically injured due to improper use of their safety seat. The worst thing for us is knowing that most of these injuries are preventable through proper installation and use of child safety seats.

To help reduce injuries to children, Salisbury Fire Department, Salisbury Police Department, Rowan County EMS and Rowan Safe Kids have trained and certified some employees and volunteers to properly install and inspect child safety seats. Salisbury Fire Department has established a Child Safety Seat Check Site at Central Fire Station, 514 East Innes Street, Salisbury. This Check Site is open every Friday from 1-4 p.m. and seat checks and/or installations of caregiver purchased seats are free. Seat technicians may also be available at other times and appointments can be made by calling 704-638-5351.

Our goal is to reduce injuries to children through proper installation and proper use of child restraint systems. Please, take advantage of our free child seat installation checks. If you have any questions about child safety seats please call 704-638-5351.

-- Bob Parnell

Salisbury

Editor's note: Bob Parnell is chief of the Salisbury Fire Department.