Senator Kemp Hannon (6th S.D.) this week announced the opening of State Police child safety seat "Permanent Fitting Stations," where parents can receive assistance in keeping their children as safe as possible while traveling.

The Permanent Fitting Stations are located at State Police Troop Headquarters in every region of the state, and will be staffed by State Troopers who are nationally certified as Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

"With the help of our dedicated State Troopers, parents can get the peace of mind that comes with knowing their child is safe and secure in their car seat," Hannon said. "This program will help parents learn how to protect their children by safely securing their car seats, and save even more young lives in the process."

New York Safe Kids Buckle-Up Director Ann Burton said, "The importance of these fitting stations cannot be overemphasized. Experience over the last year has shown that, in most areas of the state, 95 to 98 percent of child safety seats are installed incorrectly. We commend the New York State Police on its efforts to ensure that infants and children are properly secured."

The fitting stations are part of the State Police's ongoing efforts to reduce the number of deaths and injuries to child occupants resulting from highway crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of seven children up to age 14 were killed, and another 866 were injured every day in motor vehicle crashes in 1998. In New York state, 10 children died in crashes in 1998 as a result of not being properly secured.

Each of the Permanent Fitting Stations will operate at least once a month, usually on the same day each month, for a set period of time. Appointments are required to visit any of the following stations in Nassau County:

Long Beach Police Department

1 West Chester St., Long Beach

Every Monday - 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Contact: Sgt. Tangney, 431-6188

New York State Police-Troop L

7140 Republic Airport, Farmingdale

Contact: Trooper John Whittall at 756-3300

Westbury Jeep Eagle Chrysler Plymouth

110 State St., Westbury

333-2666

Westbury Jeep Eagle Chrysler Plymouth

928 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury

997-3900

For more information, see the child passenger safety web page of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, www.safeny.com.