By MARISSA DECHANT
Staff writer
The car seat loan program at ABC Life Center in Franklin recently reached a large milestone.
Last week, the program celebrated its 500th car seat loaned out through the state-funded Transportation Injury Prevention Project.
ABC Life Center has run the program since 2008, which loans car seats to anyone in need in the community.
“(People) find it a very helpful program. Car seats are very expensive, and people find them hard to afford,” said Robyn Shields, the director of the ABC Life Center and a certified car seat technician.
Shields said the center applies for car seats through the TIPP program and receives over 100 at a time. People then pay a $10 refundable deposit and can use the car seat as long as needed.
New parents can also loan a car seat through the program at UPMC Northwest.
“People who can’t afford proper seats are getting them from yard sales or friends, and often, the car seats are expired or damaged. We want to make sure children are riding safely,” Shields said.
The program loans all types of seats, from rear-facing to backless booster seats.
Children should remain in rear-facing car seats until 2 years of age or when they reach the weight maximum, Shields said, adding that parents or guardians should secure their children in car seats until they reach four feet, nine inches.
“The risks are great in a car accident. Rear-facing seats are the safest for children under 2, and without that, the risk of injury is increased. Children younger than age 2 are 75 percent less likely to die or be severely injured if using rear-facing seats,” Shields said.
Two licensed car technicians are available at the center to teach people how to install the seats, Shields said.
People are asked to check in with ABC Life Center once a year to make sure they are still using their car seats. Once they are ready to return, people can bring the car seats back to the center and receive their $10 deposit.
“It’s a big undertaking , but we hope to continue the program in the coming years,” Shields said.
