Dispatcher Shae Peek said an experience with her family led her to find more resources for car seats in Oglethorpe County.
“My sister has a daughter, and my sister could never (install a car seat) properly and correctly,” Peek said. “And she always had troubles with it. So, I took the class so I could help out.”
Now, Oglethorpe County has two certified car seat technicians — Peek and Courtney Corbin — to help with those situations.
Peek said services range from checking to see that a car seat is installed properly to the technicians installing it themselves. The county also has car seats for parents in need thanks to grants from Rayle EMC and the Rotary Club — totaling $5,000 — which allowed the county to already purchase 20 seats, with more on the way.
“We’ve already ordered another 20 car seats for our community,” Peek said. “So we’ll have them in our trailer anytime anyone needs them.”
Peek said anyone can request a free car seat, whether their current seat is out of date, they have a new addition to the family or their children have simply outgrown their current one.
Even without a request, Peek and Corbin keep an eye on how children are transported in vehicles within the county.
Once a month, the Sheriff’s Office creates safety roadblocks somewhere in the county. During these, Peek or Corbin are ready to assist any parents who come through with car seats.
“Whenever they see a child in a car seat, they’ll pull them over to the side for me to check them to make sure that they’re installed properly and the child is safe,” Peek said.
If Peek finds a car seat isn’t properly installed, she will fix it onsite so that the child can ride safely. While on scene, she also has the car seats the county purchased with her.
“I would rather give out car seats to people that can’t afford car seats or don’t have the funds to buy a newer car seat, (rather) than (it) not being properly installed and something happens,” Peek said.
Car seat help
Appointments for a car seat check can be made by calling the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office at 706-743-8102 or visiting the office at 115 Buddy Faust Road to request a seat check or a car seat. After filling out a form, the check and new car seat, if needed, are free.