Keep Kids Safe in Car Seats

Pruitt’s Auto Collision urges customers never to reuse a car seat that was in an accident, and to attend the Free Car Seat Safety Check on December 13.

Randy and Liz Pruitt urge you to make family safety your top concern this holiday season.

You may not be going over the river and through the woods, but chances are, you will load up the family and spend some extra time on the road throughout the coming holidays. Whether it’s a short run to the store for the ­forgotten ingredient of a favorite recipe or a cross country trip to visit friends and relatives, make sure your children are properly secured in a correctly installed safety seat.

According to www.safekids.org, ­unintentional childhood injuries are the leading cause of death and disability to kids under 14. Oklahoma law states that regardless of a child’s seating position in a vehicle, ­children under six years of age must be protected in a properly installed child passenger restraint system, and children six through 12 must be protected by use of either a properly installed child passenger restraint system or a safety belt. Randy and Liz Pruitt, owners of Pruitt’s Auto Collision, explain that because of the business they are in, they see the positive results of properly used safety seats, but they often are the ones explaining to customers that car seats should ­never be reused after an accident.

“A car safety seat that has been in even the most minor of accidents can have hidden ­damage and should never be reused,” explains Randy. “Many parents put their children in harm’s way by not securing them properly because they are truly unaware of the potential ­danger.” Liz adds that many times customers don’t realize that their insurance policy will cover the cost of replacing the child safety seats involved in an accident.

Randy and Liz encourage Owasso area parents to take advantage of the Free Car Seat Safety Check to be held Tuesday, December 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at the 76th Street location of the Owasso Fire Department, just east of McDonald’s. Not only will trained professionals check to make sure the seat is safely installed, they will also make sure that the child is ­properly secured in the seat.

Winter Safety

With winter coming on, there are more dangers on the road as well. Inclement weather, early sunsets and an increase in deer hits are some of the major factors that drivers will face this time of year. If you are involved in an accident, it’s best to be ­prepared ahead of time so that you know what to do.

Gone are the days of ­traipsing all over obtaining ­multiple estimates. The fact is, it’s your car and your choice who will fix it. Having someone ­trustworthy to handle the ­estimate and deal with the ­insurance company can make all the difference in a stressful ­situation. Pruitt’s has a wealth of information on their website regarding your rights and the sometimes misleading statements made by insurance companies. If you are in an accident, just tell your insurance agent you’d like your car inspected at Pruitt’s Auto Collision.

Pruitt’s Staff

Randy and his staff, Jason Linzy and John Nash, have decades of experience in the auto body repair business. Randy has been in the field for over 20 years, is ASE and I-CAR trained, and is certified on the Chief frame machine and PPG paint systems.

John Nash, the Pruitt’s painter, adds over 40 years of experience, and Jason Linzy, GM and Ford specialist, has over 15 years experience. A new face you may see at the shop is that of Tulsa Tech student Nathan Haar, who is helping in the body shop. Randy and Liz believe it’s important for those entering the business to start their employment in a quality shop where they will learn proper business techniques and practices.

Pruitt’s offers free estimates and front door service. Just pull up under the canopy and Randy will evaluate the damage and give you a written estimate for parts and labor. There is a Hertz Rent-A-Car on site, and while Pruitt’s is happy to work with your ­insurance provider, the customer has the final say in repairs. “We are a shop that works for our ­customers, not the insurance company,” explains Liz. “If you’ve ever dealt with a shop that is insurance-oriented, you’ll notice an immediate difference.”

Be sure to visit the website, www.pruittsautocollision.com, ­listen for the Pruitt’s on KXOJ 100.9FM, and find them on Facebook and Twitter. Pruitt’s Auto Collision is located on the east service road of Highway 169 at 8231 N. Owasso Expy. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For more information, contact

Pruitt’s Auto Collision 

(918) 274-4499