- March 13, 2001

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 14 and under. The single most effective way to protect children in the event of a crash is to ensure that all children are buckled up in age-appropriate systems on every trip.

The Hawarden Police Department and the City of Hawarden have made a commitment to the citizens of Hawarden to try and reduce unnecessary injuries and even deaths of children who are in crashes. On March 6 through March 9, Chief Mike DeBruin attended a 32-hour class on Seat belts and Child Restraints. This class focused on educating parents and caregivers on the ways to ensure proper fit of seat belts and child safety seats, as well as the proper installation of child safety seats. Following a written and practical examination, Chief DeBruin has become certified as a Child Safety Seat Technician with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The class was cosponsored by the Iowa Department of Public Health; the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, and Safe Kids of Iowa.

The Hawarden Police Department is going to sponsor a child seat checkup event in the near future. Studies show that nearly 85% of all child safety seats are installed improperly and we hope to reduce that number through this safety check-up event. The event is going to be free of charge to all who want to have their child seats checked. Details of this event will follow in the weeks to come.

If anyone has a child safety seat they would like checked for a proper fit before the checkup event, please feel free to contact Chief DeBruin at the Hawarden Police Department to make the necessary arrangements to have the seat checked.