Yet the number of overnight tourists in Sonoma is increasing, she said. Tourism is a big part of the city's economy, she said, but exactly how big is undetermined. The checkup caps three days of training for 25 emergency workers and others seeking certification as child passenger safety technicians by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Sponsors will provide free child safety equipment to help those in need comply with a new state law requiring safety restraints for children up to 60 pounds or 6 years of age. The law takes effect Jan. 1.
Space is limited, however, and inspections are by appointment only.
Call 579-3485 to reserve a slot. Vehicle crashes are the No. 1 preventable cause of death in children and are a major cause of head and spinal cord injuries, experts say. Inspections consistently show that four in five child safety seats are used incorrectly. In Sonoma County, advocates have stepped up efforts to educate the public and train technicians to check for proper use of child safety seats. Waterfront Horse Carriage service, which runs horse-drawn carriages at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, had proposed similar service on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays around the Plaza and to the Vallejo House and Sebastiani Winery.