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Children’s Hospital and Safekids Coalition Want Children to Have a Safe Seat
Children’s Offers Free Child Safety Seat Checkpoints Throughout the Year; Giant Eagle Certificates Given to Those Who Donate a Used Piece of Safety Equipment
Pittsburgh, Pa. -
April 11, 2001
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Motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under, despite a 10 percent decline in the overall (adults and kids) motor vehicle occupant death rate from 1987 to 1998. Studies done by the Safekids Coalition show that 90 to 95 percent of all car seats are installed incorrectly despite parents’ best efforts.
Due to the significant number of motor vehicle injuries, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County Safekids Coalition are offering FREE child safety seat checks once every month at various locations throughout Allegheny County during 2001.
“It is very important for families to use the appropriate car restraint system for all members of their family," says Henri Ford, MD, director of the Benedum Pediatric Trauma Program and chief of the Division of Pediatric Surgery at Children’s. "This becomes even more important with children who are too small for seat belts."
Unrestrained children are more likely to be injured, suffer more severe injuries, and die in motor vehicle accidents than children who are restrained properly. Results from previous safety seat checks have shown that four out of five car seats are used incorrectly.
Families who participate and bring a used or recalled piece of children’s safety equipment or furniture will receive a $5 Giant Eagle gift certificate (one certificate per family).
Although the program is free and open to the public, appointments are required. For more information including a complete list of checkpoint locations or to make an appointment, call Safekids at the Allegheny County Health Department at 412-247-7821.
Contact:
Melanie Tush Finnigan, 412-692-5016, Melanie.Finnigan@chp.edu
Last Update
February 20, 2008
February 20, 2008
