AAA To Conduct Free Car Seat, Battery Check Clinic

STRATFORD — To wind up National Child Passenger Safety Week (September 22–26), AAA Connecticut Motor Club in partnership with Baby Depot/Burlington Coat Factory of Stratford will conduct its Second Annual Safety Fair.

The event will be presented Friday, September 26, at The Burlington Coat Factory, 800 Barnum Avenue cutoff. It will run from 9 am to 4 pm.

During the event AAA-certified technicians will make sure car seats are properly installed in vehicles, teach parents how to install seats correctly and provide information on car seat safety. Car seat inspections are free and open to both AAA members and nonmembers.

In addition to car seat checks, AAA Battery Service Vans will be available to test car batteries in preparation for winter. Using state-of-the-art battery diagnostics, technicians will determine in minutes if batteries need to be replaced and will do so right on the spot. Battery tests are also free, but there will be a charge for battery replacements.

AAA Connecticut Motor Club launched its car seat program in June 2002 and since its certified technicians have inspected or installed nearly 8,500 car seats in vehicles. Based on data compiled over the last six years, an analysis shows that 51 percent of the seats are either installed improperly or used incorrectly.