Mangano Opens New Car Seat Safety Center In Hicksville

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano today announced the opening of a car-seat safety center at 170 Cantiague Rock Road in Hicksville, proclaiming it an immeasurably important County resource that can help ensure the safety of children from newborns to toddlers and beyond.

“As a parent, the most important job any of us can have is to keep our children safe,” said Mangano. “Our new car-seat safety center will provide a key service in helping parents achieve that goal.”

The center is operated by the Nassau County Traffic Safety Board three days per week, with inspections being conducted by appointment. The Traffic Safety Board partners with the Education & Assistance Corp. (EAC) to provide bilingual and other services for low-income and non-English speaking families. One day is specifically dedicated to serving low-income families.

“Every Nassau resident can and should benefit from the expertise of the men at women at the center,” said Mangano.

For the past 11 years, Traffic Safety has operated the car seat center in Mineola and has assisted more than 7,000 families in the proper installation of their children’s safety seats making the center the leading safety station on Long Island.  This year alone over 400 families have been assisted by the program.

“The Education & Assistance Corporation’s (EAC) Safe Start Program conducted more than 1,000 car seat inspections in conjunction with Nassau County Traffic

Safety,” said Lance W. Elder, EAC’s President & CEO. “EAC technicians work side by side with the County staff. This new, well-equipped fitting station will enable us to help many more families.”

According to several studies, as many as 90 percent of car seats are installed improperly. Improved installation can reduce the threat of injury or death by as much as 65 percent.

The new Hicksville location was converted from a lawn mower shop to a clean-fitting station equipped to provide the car-seat service year-round.   Appointments can be made by calling 516-571-9664.

“I invite all parents, grandparents and guardians to have their car seats inspected. Keep your children safe,” said Mangano.