Free Child Safety Seat Clinics to Support Western NC Families After Hurricane Helene

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has teamed up with State Farm and Safe Kids NC to offer free child safety seat clinics in Western North Carolina. The initiative aims to assist families impacted by the storm by providing education, proper car seat installations, and free car seats while supplies last. Certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians will be available to ensure children can travel safely.

The first clinic is scheduled for April 4, 2025, from 12 PM to 4 PM at the Franklin Fire Department in Macon County. A second event will follow on April 5, 2025, during the Child Fest in Mitchell County. These clinics come as part of a broader effort to support families still recovering from the hurricane’s devastation.

State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor underscored the importance of the program, stating, “As families continue recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene, ensuring their children travel safely is one of our priorities.” He expressed gratitude to State Farm and Safe Kids NC for their partnership in delivering these critical resources to the region.

Safe Kids NC Director Allan Buchanan highlighted a key safety concern driving the initiative: “Statistics show that more than half of child safety seats are installed incorrectly. Our goal is to ensure every family we meet leaves with their child riding as safely as possible.” The clinics will offer hands-on assistance from trained technicians to address this widespread issue.

State Farm spokesperson Kim Conyers emphasized the company’s dedication to the cause, saying, “State Farm is proud to support child passenger safety initiatives because we know that the proper use of car seats can save lives. We encourage families to take advantage of this free opportunity to protect their most precious passengers.”

Families seeking a free car seat are advised to arrive early due to limited availability. To ensure proper installation, parents and caregivers must bring both their child and their vehicle to the event. The clinics provide a vital opportunity for Western North Carolina families to enhance child safety as they rebuild after the hurricane.