CHRISTINA EICHELKRAUT / PVT Nye County Sheriff's Office Dep. Marty Romans fingerprints Kaden Hastings, 7, at Wal-Mart's annual safety fair held Saturday, June 21. Advertisement

The fifth annual Wal-Mart Safety Fair held Saturday enjoyed a steady flow of traffic from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m.

"It's been pretty decent," Will Kirtz, the Wal-Mart coordinator for the event said of the turnout. "The heat I kind of have a feeling is playing a part in it, too."

The heat wasn't enough to stop Sandra Smith, of Pahrump, from stopping with her family in the rear of the parking lot to take advantage of the free car seat inspections being offered by the Nye County Sheriff's Office.

"I think it's great they do this," Smith said. "We've been wanting to do this for a long time and it's good to know they're in the right place now."

In addition to free inspections, the sheriff's office came prepared with 22 convertible car seats to give away and install for people who may not be able to purchase them.

Within an hour, Capt. Bill Becht and Grant Administrator Paula Cooper had already done 10 inspections (both became certified to install and conduct inspections after taking a 40-hour course).

The fact they were doing inspections more than giving car seats away proved the success of the program in previous years.

"When we first started this program we gave away seats to everyone," Becht said. "Now we're mostly doing inspections, so that shows people at least already have the seats."

Meanwhile, Special Resource Office Dep. Donny Boulden was teaching Alexis Lutz, 4, and Janet Lutz, 6, about bicycle safety.

Both of the Lutz sisters took turns navigating their bikes through a safety course set up by Boulden.

The course was designed to help teach young bicyclists how to maintain balance, to keep both feet on the pedals at all times, the right way to stop, and being aware of their surroundings.

In addition, free helmets, bike safety literature and water bottles were given away. Anyone who brought their bike could get a free full inspection, from the spokes and chain to the air pressure in the tires.

Other attendees of the Safety Fair could take some time to donate blood or chat with the Pahrump Valley Fire Rescue workers to learn about fire safety.

Inside, Kaden Hastings, 7, was getting his fingerprints taken by Dep. Marty Romans.

At that table, parents and children could learn about staying safe, avoiding violence, identity theft and child abduction.

Free gun locks and pamphlets explaining gun safety were also available.

Wal-Mart had representatives on hand to check drivers' tire treads and air pressure.

"It's a good thing to do for the community," Kirtz said.