Safe Kids Johnson County, in partnership with State Farm® and McCarthy Chevrolet, invites families, caregivers, grandparents and anyone who transports children to a free Community Buckle Up Event on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at McCarthy Chevrolet, 675 N. Rawhide, Olathe, Kansas 66061 (inside the service department—just drive in).

This event is held in celebration of Child Passenger Safety Week, a national initiative to raise awareness about the importance of correctly using car seats, booster seats and seatbelts to protect children in vehicles.

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) will be on-site to inspect car seats and their installation. The event is first-come, first-served, and aims to ensure every child leaves safer than when they arrived. Technicians will check for expired or recalled seats, missing parts, incorrect fit for a child’s size or age, improper installation and counterfeit products.

“Every time you buckle up your child the right way, you’re taking a powerful step to keep them safe,” said Marty Vinson, CPST at the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. “It might seem small, but it’s one of the most important things you do each day.”

National data shows that three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, correctly used child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers in passenger vehicles.

This free event is part of Safe Kids Johnson County's Buckle Up Program, which works year-round to keep children safe on the road. Safe Kids Johnson County is a children’s injury prevention coalition committed to reducing the risk of preventable injuries in kids from birth through age 18.