Safe Kids Oklahoma Giving Away Car Seats

By Kirsten McIntyre, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- When it comes to saving the lives of children, car seats play a crucial role. But some parents can't afford them and others aren't sure how to properly install them. Thankfully, an Oklahoma organization is doing its part to fix that problem.

Eva Allen got a new car seat Thursday. Her parents waited in line for two hours to get it, but believe the wait is worth it.

Dozens of children benefited from the car seat giveaway by Safe Kids Oklahoma. Trained volunteers, such as firefighters and troopers, also helped install them.

"We're having to turn people away because the demand for these seats is just overwhelming us," said Safe Kids Oklahoma Exec. Director John Wilguess.

Safe Kids said in Oklahoma, four out of five car seats are improperly installed. Car accidents are also the number one killer of children, so making sure those car seats are installed properly is very important.

"The number one thing to remember for helping kids is to make sure they are into a car seat or in an appropriate sized lap shoulder belt," Wilguess said.

"I think everybody should have a car seat. I'm really glad these people are out here doing this, taking the time out in this hot, hot sun so that's really nice the people doing this," said parent Cameron Allen.

Safe Kids Oklahoma is having a car seat give-a-way next Wednesday at the Bethany Fire Department beginning at 8 a.m. Parents can also check and make sure their children's car seats are properly installed at the event.