AUBURN – The Child Health Center will join with the Maine Coalition for SAFE KIDS, United Way of Androscoggin County and the Auburn Police Department on Monday, Feb. 14, to check children’s safety seats during National Child Passenger Safety Week Feb. 13 to 19.

Parents can meet with certified child passenger safety technicians at the Auburn Police Department from 2 to 6 p.m. Technicians will conduct inspections of the child’s passenger safety seat and ensure that it is installed as safely as possible.

Technicians will also check to see that children, ages 4 to 8, are in the seat most appropriate for them.

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children ages 2 to 14, say the organizers. But children ages 4 to 8 who use booster seats are 59 percent less likely to be injured in a car crash than children who are restrained only by a safety belt.

“We want to remind them this year at Valentine’s that truly protecting the ones they love means getting past the temporary complaints and perceived hassles because their children’s lives are really at risk,” said Patricia Valeriani of the Child Health Center.

“We want parents and caregivers to always remember that using a booster seat will better protect your child from being thrown from the vehicle, or thrown around inside it, during a crash,” said Suzanne Cook of the coalition. “So, always remember the bottom line: if they’re under 4 feet 9 inches, they need a booster seat.”

The Androscoggin County Chapter of Maine SAFE KIDS and Child Health Center will also offer an informational booth at Emerson Chevrolet, 946 Center St., from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 19.

Anyone who would like more information or to see if they qualify for a free child passenger safety seat should call 782-5437.