Heckert Aims To Educate Others On Car Seat Safety

A good car seat is essential to the safety of your children anytime you hit the road. One Neligh-Oakdale student wants to do her part in making sure the public is giving their children the proper protection in the car.

Sadie Heckert, an eighth grader at Neligh-Oakdale, is planning a car seat check event at the Neligh Fire Hall on Saturday, October 28. from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come and have their child’s car seat checked to make sure it is the right size and model for the child.

The event is Heckert’s STAR project for FCCLA, which she will present at the district leadership conference. However, her motivation for the project didn’t start with award recognition. The motivation for her project actually comes from a close call in her own family.

“My mom got into an accident with my little brother. He wasn’t hurt or anything, but he could have seriously been or she could have been,” Heckert said.

Kate Kunz will be on hand to conduct the car seat checks. Kunz is the coalition coordinator for Avera St. Anthony’s Safe Kids North Central (NE). According to the coalition’s website, they implement evidence-based programs, such as car-seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics, that help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries.

Parents are encouraged to bring their child to the event as well, as part of the car seat check process includes weighing children to make sure they are in the right size of seat.

Heckert said her hope for the event is that not only will she have a chance to make sure children are safe, but parents are setting a good example as well.

​“I’m hoping that after we put in the car seats, we can talk to the parents about how they also should be wearing a seat belt,” Heckert said. “That’s showing your kids they need to be wearing a seat belt. I’ve seen a lot of accidents where they weren’t wearing a seat belt and they’ve been thrown out. If they had (worn their seat belt), they probably would have survived.”