Child safety seat checks can help avoid a tragedy

By Shannon Sessions

For The Herald

LYNNWOOD — Motor-vehicle crashes are the largest cause of child fatalities in the country, officials say.

But proper child seat safety can reduce the risk of injury or death by 70 percent, they say.

"The tragedy is, parents believe they are doing the right thing, but 80 to 90 percent of the time the seats aren’t installed correctly," said Janet Abbott, Lynnwood crime prevention officer.

Lynnwood police recently certified five technicians to help parents and caregivers make sure their precious cargo is safe.

Technicians are available for free child car seat checks every Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m. at the Lynnwood police station at 19321 44th Ave. W. An appointment is necessary. Checks take up to 45 minutes, and it is best to have the child there, officials said.

Lynnwood police and Snohomish County Fire District 1 are the only agencies that currently have free, ongoing car seat checks in south Snohomish County.

This is also just in time for new state booster seat laws that go into effect July 1, Abbott said.

The law requires children between ages 4 and 6 and/or 40 to 60 pounds to ride in a seat belt adjusting booster seat.

A child this age or size who isn’t restrained properly in a booster seat but is restrained in an adult lap and shoulder belt is more likely to be paralyzed or killed, according to information provided by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

In a booster seat, the seat takes the brunt of the impact, not the youngster’s body.

The new law, known as the Anton Skeen Act, was passed after 4-year-old Anton was thrown from the car his mother was driving to Yakima when he slipped out of a standard lap and shoulder belt.

The new law is in addition to current laws that require infants up to 20 pounds and at least 1-year-old to ride in a rear-facing infant seat. No car seat should be near an activated air bag.

After July 1, $86 citations will be issued when children aren’t restrained in age and size-appropriate car seats.

"The law isn’t what parents should worry about, but instead the safety of their kids," Abbott said.

Shannon Sessions is the editor for the Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace Enterprise Newspapers. Call her at 425-673-6531 or email at sessions@heraldnet.com.

  • Snohomish County Fire District 1 is scheduling appointments only for car child seat clinics Tuesdayat the Silver Firs Fire Station and June 4 at the Mariner Fire Station. To make an appointment, call Kim Schroeder at 425-551-1254 or e-mail kschroeder@firedistrict1.org.

  • The Snohomish County Child Passenger Safety Team will have a drop-in car seat clinic at the Mariner Fire Station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 22. No appointment necessary.

  • For other car seat checks in your area call 800-BUCKL-UP (800-282-5587).
    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Local News

    Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

    Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

    Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

    Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

    Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
    Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

    The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

    x
    Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

    The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

    The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

    The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

    Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

    Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

    People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

    The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

    Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
    Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

    The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

    The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

    The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

    The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
    Northshore School District bond improvements underway

    The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

    Riley Boyd, 6, left, and sisters Vivienne Boyd, 3, ride a sled together down a hill at Anderson Center Field on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Snohomish County shouldn’t expect snow and cold to leave any time soon

    Residents can expect a reprieve from the snow until possibly this weekend. Colder than normal temperatures are expected to remain into next week.

    Modern DNA tech comes through again for Everett police in 1989 murder case

    Recent advances in forensic genealogy led to the suspect’s arrest in Clark County, Nevada.

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.