A Safe Kids Oklahoma Car Seat Check-Up event will be held Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wilmes Super Store 108 N. Veterans Drive. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians from Jackson County Health Department and Altus Fire/Rescue Department will be at the event to proper seat use, seat installments, and harness placement. This is a collaborative effort from Wilmes Superstore, Altus Fire/Rescue Department, Jackson County Health Department and Safe Kids Oklahoma. Wilmes Superstore is donating over $500 in child restraints to help keep children safe. A limited number of car seats will be available for free to eligible families while supplies last. Eligible participants must provide proof of government aid 9food stamps, WIC, Medicaid, etc.) in order to receive a car seat. Please bring the child needing a car seat for proper fit. Why do communities need car seat check-ups? Four out of five car seats are either 1: the wrong type of seat, 2: installed incorrectly, or 3: harness placement is inaccurate How old do children have to be before they can ride in a forward-facing car seat? American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear facing until at least 2 years of age Why should children sit in the back seat? The safest place for children 12 & younger is the back seat. When are kids old enough to ride without a seat? Oklahoma law requires children under the age of 6 to ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat Why is it important to keep equipment like cell phones stored during trips? Even the smallest items such as cell phones can become projectiles in the event of a crash. Which accidents have more fatalities, rural or urban? 30% more vehicle crash fatalities occur in rural areas vs. urban Four tips everyone should know: 1) Select a car seat based on your child’s age, height, and weight. 2) Keep your child in a car seat for as long as possible, which may mean you need to upgrade your child’s seat to meet the seat height and weight requirements. 3) Ensure all passengers under the age of 13 ride in the back seat. 4) Every vehicle occupant should be buckled up, every trip.