(St. George, UT) - The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) is currently offering monthly car seat classes to all child caregivers free of charge.

It is estimated that 75% of all car seats are installed incorrectly. The class will cover the importance of car seats, how to select the right car seat for your child, how to adjust it to properly fit the child and how to safely install the car seat into the vehicle. Car seats are also available for purchase at discounted rates. Child Passenger Safety Technician and SWUPHD Health Educator Shalyce Oman will be instructing the class

“Car seats can be very tricky to properly install because there are so many factors that need to be taken into account,” says Oman. “ I will take the time with you to make sure you leave with the knowledge you need to be able to properly install your car seat on your own. Many individuals don’t realize that they are installing their car seat improperly, so it is important for anyone who cares for children to come and get this education”.

According to Safe Kids USA, “young children properly restrained in child safety seats have an 80 percent lower risk of fatal injury than those who are unrestrained.”

This class is designed to eliminate mistakes in car seat installation and to make sure parents and caregivers understand car seat laws. It has been created for the first -time parent as well as those with more experience. “Everyone will come away learning something that they did not know before,” states Oman.

This car seat class will be held monthly at the Health Department at 420 East 600 South in St. George. For dates and times, go to www.swuhealth.org/car-seat, or call Shalyce Oman at 986-2563. Parents can also make an appointment to have their car seat checked or to get help installing it properly.