See also the PSA on AmherstMedia about Safe Seats for Kids.
The Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools are proud to partner with
the Amherst Police Department to announce a new safety initiative “Safe
Seats for Kids”.
New infant car seats and booster seats are available free of charge
to income-eligible families in the Amherst-Pelham Regional Public
Schools. Amherst Police Department will distribute car seats and conduct
car safety inspections during the last week of August.
Police Chief Scott Livingstone and the APD utilized the Executive
Office Safety Grant to obtain $4000 and purchased nearly 300 infant car
seats and booster seats. “We immediately thought of the many families in
need and contacted the Office of the Superintendent to launch this
program” Livingstone stated.
APD Sgt. Jesus Arocho said, “The Amherst Police Department is
committed to keeping our children safe and recognize that motor vehicle
crashes pose a tremendous risk for children. When properly installed,
child safety seats reduce the risk of death in a motor vehicle crash by
71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Safety belts reduce the risk of
death or serious injury in a motor vehicle crash by up to 50%.”
Use this chart as a general guide to children and safety seats:
| Infants |
birth -1 year |
20-22 lbs |
infant seat or rear-facing convertible |
| Toddlers |
1-4 years |
20-40 lbs |
convertible of forward-facing |
| Young Children |
5-7 years |
41 lbs to 57” |
belt positioning booster seat |
| Children |
8-12 years |
greater than 57” |
seat belt |
Families who qualify financially are invited to come to the south
parking lot at Amherst Regional Middle School on the following days:
Wednesday, Aug 31 1-4pm
Thursday, Sept 1 11-3pm
Friday, Sept 2 11-3pm
Maria Geryk, Superintendent of Schools states, “'Safe Seats for Kids'
is a wonderful initiative which benefits many families in our community
and ensures the safety of young children while riding in cars. We are
extremely grateful to the APD and their generous offer to keep our
children safe and educate parents and caregivers about the importance of
car safety.”
Please contact Kimberly Stender, Volunteer Coordinator, with questions at stenderk@arps.org or 413-362-1825.
The mission of the Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools is to
create a dynamic learning community where students and staff work
together and where all students are supported and challenged to achieve
their full potential in their intellectual, creative, social and civic
endeavors. With parent and community participation, staff and students
strive to ensure a safe environment and to promote respect and
appreciation for the diversity of individuals, cultures and learning
styles.