July 2024
On July 15th and 16th, Region 10 RPM Alex Schoening attended two separate “What to Expect” events for new and expecting military parents at US Naval Bases Everett and Kitsap in Washington state. These baby shower celebration events are put together and headlined by Heidi Murkoff, author of the bestselling book, “What to Expect When You are Expecting”, and include prizes, pregnancy and parenting advice, and a luncheon. NHTSA has been proud to partner with these events by providing information and materials pertinent to Car Seat Safety and Heatstroke Awareness.
During these events, Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) generously provided two local CPS Technicians who offered much needed advice on car seat selection and proper installation, as well as information on local laws pertaining to car seat use. The CPS Technicians provided exemplar car seats with buckled dolls as well as arrangements to have a future personal consultation and installation guidance specific to that families’ needs.
RPM Schoening was able to engage with many families and augment the conversation with overall occupant safety, crash and occupant kinematics, and heatstroke awareness based on his prior law enforcement experience and current knowledge from his time with NHTSA. The NHTSA CPS table continues to be the most popular and visited at the three events we’ve attended in 2024. Future plans are in the works to partner with the Navy during April’s Child Abuse Awareness Month, with a possible car seat check event to coincide with other events on base.
NHTSA Region 10 would like to thank WTSC CPS Technicians Megan LeBlanc from South County (Snohomish) Fire and Wanda Yamashita from the Seattle area for their excellent service, expertise and genuine care for these families and little ones. Below are some photos of the two events.
Contact:
Alex Schoening, NHTSA
alex.schoening@dot.gov