The Bloomington Fire Department headquarters is Monroe County’s first permanent station to fit child car seats in vehicles. The child car seat fitting is free and open to any parent or guardian. BFD’s headquarters is at 320 W. 8th St., STE 220.
The site also supplies free car seats for eligible parents or guardians. Those eligible must receive a form of state aid and be a licensed driver.
The BFD’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare team will teach parents or guardians how to properly install their child’s care seat. Child caregivers can walk into the headquarters or call for an appointment. The service is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
A properly fitted child car seat ensures the safety of children, said Tania Daffron, assistant chief of administration for BFD.
“That is the biggest thing, to keep kids secure in their car seat,” Daffron said. “In the event of an accident, injuries happen when people don't wear their seat belt and they get ejected from the car. That's when the most serious injuries occur.”
Indiana University Health Bloomington Community Health, the Bloomington Police Department and the Monroe County Health Department also provide free car seat fitting.