Opportunity: State Seeking Car Seat Safety Technicians

CONTACT:   

Sam Cole, CDOT Communications Manager

303-757-9484 Desk / 303-859-1304 Cell |[email protected]s 

March 27, 2019

State Seeking Car Seat Safety Technicians
Scholarships Available for Upcoming Training Courses 

STATEWIDE — Car crashes are a leading cause of death among children under the age of 13 nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), three out of four children are not properly restrained when riding in vehicles. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to have their car seats inspected regularly to ensure proper fit and use. Currently the state is recruiting more individuals to become certified Child Passenger Safety technicians to inspect seats and provide outreach in their communities.

There are approximately 1,250 certified Child Passenger Safety technicians and instructors throughout Colorado. Car Seats Colorado, a joint effort between the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), oversees the work of the technicians and encourages anyone passionate about car seat safety to become a certified Child Passenger Safety technician.

“Our goal is to create new resources in every community,” said CSP Trooper Tim Sutherland, program coordinator for Car Seats Colorado. “Many people are surprised that you don’t have to be a firefighter, police officer or first responder to become a Child Passenger Safety technician, but this is an opportunity available to anyone interested.”

Car Seats Colorado is offering scholarships for its certification training program — which is normally $95. Therefore, interested participants do not have to worry about the burden of covering these costs.

“We want to reach more schools, daycares, and parents who are active in their communities,” said Sam Cole, traffic safety communications manager for CDOT. “We want anyone to apply who is motivated and passionate about making a difference in the lives of Colorado families by keeping all children safe on the road.”

Certification courses are offered 12 times per year at various locations throughout the state and involve three days of training. Certification is good for two years and can be easily maintained. Once certified, technicians are given an official identification card and are registered in the Safe Kids Worldwide technician database.

“There are a lot of ways to use your certification after completing the training,” said Sutherland. “Technicians can participate in local safety events, offer seat checks within their communities or networks, or get involved with local organizations to provide car seat inspections and events across the state.”

The next upcoming certification courses are:

·        Colorado Springs — April 15-17 at the Falcon Fire Department

·        Golden — May 7-9 at the Colorado State Patrol Academy

·        Longmont — May 21-23 at Kinsco Public Safety

·        Gunnison — June 3-5 at the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office

·        Grand County — June 17-19 at Grand County Emergency Medical Services

·        Glenwood Springs — July 15-17 at CDOT

·        Las Animas — July 29-31 at Las Animas Fire Department

·        Fort Morgan — Aug. 13-15 at TBD

For more information and to register for a certification course, visit CarSeatsColorado.com.

Car Seats Colorado provides advocate education, resources and certification training courses. Car Seats Colorado is comprised of the CSP, CDOT, and local child passenger safety technicians who are dedicated to implementing child passenger safety programs.

For more information on Colorado’s Child Passenger Safety laws, car seat resources for parents and caregivers and more, visit CarSeatsColorado.com.