DuPage sheriff's office giving car seats to families in need

New car seats donated by AAA are available through the DuPage County Sheriff's Office for families in need. Courtesy DuPage County Sheriff's office

The DuPage County sheriff's office will distribute more than two dozen new car seats donated by AAA to families in need Monday.

The first 26 qualifying families to inquire at the sheriff's office will pick up their car seats inside Building 1 of the DuPage County Fairgrounds at 2015 Manchester Road in Wheaton.

Families also will receive assistance from certified installation technicians about correctly installing car seats in their vehicles from 8 a.m. to noon. Then, from noon to 3 p.m., technicians will inspect the car seats of any residents who show up at the fairgrounds.

"While this is a very important prong in our ongoing road safety initiative, this is also a very impactful way to help some of our residents during the holidays," Sheriff James Mendrick said in a statement. "We continue to be thankful for our relationship with AAA, which provides opportunities, such as this, for us to give a helping hand."

AAA donated the 26 Evenflo SureRide car seats. To receive one, residents are asked to call social worker Ken Reid at (630) 407-2302 to be added to a list and make an appointment for the pickup and installation event Monday.

A state law that took effect a year ago requires that children younger than 2 be placed in rear-facing child seats unless they weigh 40 pounds or more or are 40 inches or taller.