For more information, contact Pam Hoelscher at 573-751-5413 or Kelly Jackson at 573-645-9353.
September 9, 2014 – For Immediate Release
National Child Passenger Safety Week Sept. 14 -20.
Is Your Child in the right safety seat?
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – How certain are you that your child is the safest they can be while riding in the car? With car crashes being a leading cause of death for children 1 to 12 years old in the United States, it’s very important to make sure your child is in the correct safety seat to accommodate their growing bodies.
Appropriate car seats are very important for kids’ safety. Missouri law requires all children under age eight be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat, unless they are at least 80 pounds or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
During Child Passenger Safety Week parents and child caregivers are encouraged to participate in a safety seat check up and find out from experts how best to protect their kids. The annual campaign includes education on proper safety seat installation and use as well as increased law enforcement cracking down on Missouri’s child safety seat law violators.
“The goal is to make sure all parents and caregivers are correctly securing all children in the right car restraints for their ages and sizes,” said Leanna Depue, executive committee chair for the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. “Safety seats prevent serious injuries and could save your child’s life.”
The wide range of car seat models on the market today leaves more than a few parents confused. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study revealed that nearly 75 percent of parents don’t know how to use child safety restraints properly. Child passenger safety technicians in Missouri report an even higher misuse rate.
National Seat Check Saturday is Sept. 20. Technicians will provide on-site car seat checks and education at locations throughout Missouri. To find a safety seat check event in your area, visit seatcheck.org. For more information visit saveMOlives.com and social media at Save MO Lives.
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