November 2001 By Chief Mike DeBruin

Motor vehicle crashed are the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 14 and under. With impending winter driving conditions, icy roads and snow can make travel even more hazardous. The single most effective way to protect children in the event of a crash is to ensure that all children are buckled up in an age appropriate system on every trip.

The Hawarden Police Department would like to remind all residents that with the changing of the seasons and with winter right around the corner now would be a great time to have your child safety seat inspected. You seat will be checked for any recalls, checked for proper installation, and will be checked to insure the seat properly fits your child.

To have your seat checked all you have to do is call the Hawarden Police Department at 551-4430 to make arrangements. The police department has certified child safety seat inspectors on hand that will be glad to assist you. This service is free of charge.

We recommend that when you bring your seat to be check out, it be installed in your car and that the child that rides in that particular seat is present so a proper fit can be assured.

June 2001 By Chief Mike DeBruin

On Thursday, June 14, 2001 the Hawarden Police Department held a child safety seat inspection at the Hawarden Fire Station. At the event 28 seats were checked. Out of those 28 seats that were checked, only three were found to have been properly installed with no adjustments needed. In addition, out of the 28 seats checked, twelve were replaced with new seats.

All of the seats were checked by certified child safety seat technicians from the Hawarden Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, and Siouxland Paramedics. The seats were checked for any recalls and for proper installation. In addition any seats that had been installed in a vehicle when the vehicle was in an accident were replaced.

By checking and replacing any seats that had been recalled or in a previous crash is a continuing commitment to the safety of children in our community and surrounding communities.

New child safety seats were provided with funds from Healthy Community Initiative, Kiawanis, and the Epsilon Eta Sorority.

The Hawarden Police Department would like to thank all of the participants and volunteers who participated in this event. We hope to hold another safety seat event in late September or early October of this year. In the meantime if you have a seat you would like checked please call the Hawarden Police Department and set up an appointment.