FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 8, 2007

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8409

 

 

Note: Several child passenger safety events will be held in media markets across the state. These events will include installations of safety seats, demonstrations and other activities. SCDPS and Safe Kids safety seat technicians will be on hand. Please see attached list for more information on events in your areas.

 

SCDPS EMPHASIZES USE OF CHILD SAFETY SEATS

Child Passenger Safety Week, Feb. 11-17, puts spotlight on booster seats

 

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) is teaming up with Safe Kids South Carolina for Child Passenger Safety Week, Feb. 11-17, to educate parents about the life-saving potential of child safety seats in motor vehicles.

 

Nationally, motor vehicle crashes remain the number one killer of children ages 4 to 14. That’s why SCDPS is taking part in Safe Kids seat check events and is distributing educational literature as part of a campaign to inform parents and protect young lives.

 

“Parents across South Carolina can best protect their children by making sure they are properly restrained,” said Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Richland, a member of the Safe Kids Board of Directors. “Booster seats and seatbelts can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.  I hope all parents will spend extra time this week to make sure they are doing everything possible to protect their children and to prevent senseless tragedies.”

 

According to preliminary statistics provided by the SCDPS’ Office of Highway Safety:

 

• Seven children up to age 5—who were motor vehicle occupants—were killed in traffic collisions in 2006. That compares to 15 in 2005. Of the seven who died last year, four were not restrained.
• 14 children ages 6-12—who were motor vehicle occupants—died as a result of a traffic collision in 2006. That compares to nine in 2005.

 

“Most children ages 8 to 10 should be riding in a booster seat for the best protection in a crash,” said Ree Mallison, Director of Safe Kids South Carolina.  “Children in this age group are among the least likely to be in the correct restraint.  We need to make booster seat use among ‘tweens’ just as automatic as it is for small children to ride in car seats.”

 

Nationally, statistics show that 98 percent of infants and 93 percent of children ages 1 to 3 are regularly restrained. But that’s not the case for children ages 4 through 7. Too often, the reason is improper use or non-use of child safety seats and booster seats. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends children shorter than 4 feet 9 inches use booster seats to elevate them so that adult safety belts fit properly.

 

South Carolina has a booster seat provision in its safety belt law and SCDPS is emphasizing the benefits of using them in the information being distributed to schools, day cares and pediatrician offices. It is also stressing the “4 Steps for Kids” reminder. The message emphasizes the progression of child restraint usage: rear-facing seats for infants, forward-facing seats for toddlers, booster seats for older children and safety belts for everyone else. NHTSA recommends that all children under 12 ride in the back seat.

 

 “Parents and other adults who transport children need to know the facts to ensure that all children travel safely on our roadways everyday,” said Max Young, Director of SCDPS’ Office of Highway Safety and Chairman of Safe Kids’ Board of Directors.

 

For more information about child passenger safety, log onto www.scdps.org or www.boosterseat.gov.

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BH/07/07

 

South Carolina Fact Sheet

 

 

• In 2006, preliminary statistics from SCDPS’ Office of Highway Safety show that a total of 21 children up to age 12—who were motor vehicle occupants—were killed in traffic collisions on public roadways.
• In 2005, preliminary numbers show that 33 children up to age 12—who were motor vehicle occupants—were killed in motor vehicle crashes.
• In 2006, preliminary statistics show that of the hundreds of children up to age 12 who sustained an injury in a motor vehicle collision, about 100 suffered injuries classified as incapacitating.
• In 2006, preliminary numbers show that one child under age 6 was seriously injured or killed every seven days in a motor vehicle collision.

 

Note: 2005 and 2006 statistics are preliminary and subject to change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPS FACT SHEET

Child Safety Seats Save Lives

 

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 7,500 lives have been saved by the proper use of child restraints during the past 20 years.

 

• Motor vehicle crashes still remain the number one killer of children ages 4 to 14 in America.

 

• In 2005, an average of five children ages 14 and younger were killed and 640 were injured in motor vehicle crashes every single day.

 

• Children ages 4 to 8 who use booster seats are 59 percent less likely to be injured in a car crash than children who are restrained only by a seat belt, according to a study by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

 

• While 98 percent of America’s infants and 93 percent of children ages 1 to 3 are now regularly restrained, not enough children ages 4 through 7 are restrained properly for their size and age.

 

• Only 10 to 20 percent of children ages 4 through 7 who should be using booster seats to protect them are actually in them. This puts children at an unnecessary risk of being injured or killed in crashes because they are simply in the wrong restraint for their size and age.

 

• One study showed that children ages 2 to 5 who are moved to seat belts too early have 4 times the risk of a head injury in a crash.

 

• Children ages 4 through 7 are generally too small for adult seat belts and need a “boost” to ensure the seat belt will fit securely across their chests and low across the upper thighs —to help prevent internal injuries, neck, head and spinal injuries, and even ejection and death in the event of a crash.

 

• The use of booster seats compared to the use of adult seat belts alone lowers the risk of injury to children in crashes by 59 percent.

 

As children grow, how they need to be secured in a car, truck, van or SUV changes. For maximum child passenger safety, parents and caregivers simply need to remember and follow the 4 Steps for Kids:

 

1)  For the best possible protection keep infants in the back seat, in rear-facing child safety seats, as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat.  At a minimum, keep infants rear-facing until a minimum of age 1 and at least 20 pounds;

 

2)  When children outgrow their rear-facing seats (at a minimum age 1 and at least 20 pounds) they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds);

 

3)  Once children outgrow their forward-facing seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly.  Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall);

 

4)  When children outgrow their booster seats, (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall) they can use the adult seat belt in the back seat, if it fits properly (lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt across the chest). 

 

• The three most common mistakes in installing a child safety seat are (1) not attaching the seat correctly and tightly to the car or truck, (2) not fastening the harness tightly enough, and (3) not using the chest clip or using it incorrectly.

 

• For more information visit www.BoosterSeat.gov, www.SaferCar.gov, www.SeatCheck.org and www.scdps.org.

 

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CHILD CAR SEAT CHECKS

Child safety seat fitting stations are located statewide to provide assistance by certified safety seat technicians. No citations are issued at the checks, but parents must bring children to ensure seats are fitted properly. Following is a list of Safe Kids special events and regular fitting stations. S.C. Department of Public Safety will have Highway Patrol troopers and others trained as seat check technicians at the special events.  Parents should contact the Safe Kids coalition in their areas for possible events not listed here and additional information.

 

SPECIAL CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY EVENTS

Saturday, Feb. 10

Safe Kids Florence County: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Toys R Us, 2680 David H. McLeod Blvd. Event includes "Ask the Expert" booth inside store.

 

Safe Kids Midlands: 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at Babies R Us, 254 Harbison Blvd. SCDPS child safety seat experts, including Highway Patrol troopers, will take part in event.

 

Safe Kids Trident Area (Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester counties): 11 a.m.-3 p.m. "Ask the Expert" event at Babies R Us on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston.

 

Tuesday, Feb. 13

Safe Kids Upstate:  6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Bradshaw Automotive. Booster seat education event includes Highway Patrol troopers.

 

Thursday, Feb. 15

Safe Kids Trident: 4 p.m.-6 p.m. at the North Charleston Fire Department at Rivers Avenue and Greenridge Road. The grand opening of the new child safety seat fitting station at the fire department will include child safety seat checks and other activities.

 

Saturday, Feb. 17

Safe Kids Orangeburg: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Orangeburg Fairgrounds at 350 Magnolia St.  Highway Patrol troopers trained as seat check technicians will take part.

 

Safe Kids Anderson County: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Anderson Mall. Highway Patrol troopers trained as seat technicians will take part.

 

Friday, Feb. 23

Safe Kids Sumter:  1 p.m.-5 p.m. at Jones Chevorlet. Highway Patrol troopers trained as seat check technicians will take part; half-car display and safety literature. Safe Kids will present its new Safety Bus that will be used for educational programs, including child passenger safety.  

 

PERMANENT SEAT CHECK STATIONS

AIKEN

Safe Kids of Aiken County/Tri-Development Center operates a child passenger safety inspection station at 105 Lancaster St. in Aiken.  Nationally certified technicians provide assistance on the proper installation of child restraints, as well as check restraint for recalls. It also provides assistance for children with special transportation needs, such as orthopedic, neuromuscular, respiratory or behavioral disabilities. Call Jones T. Bowen at (803) 642-8809 for an appointment.

 

ANDERSON

Safe Kids Anderson County operates a child passenger safety seat inspection station at 616 Bonham Court in Anderson. Nationally certified technicians can provide guidance on proper child restraint use and installation, as well as check restraints for recall histories. Assistance is also available for children with special transportation needs whose orthopedic, neuromuscular, respiratory, or behavioral disabilities make using conventional child restraints impractical or unsafe. Contact Dwayne Smith at (864) 224-0251 to schedule an appointment. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mobile appointments are available for groups of 10 or more.

 

CHARLESTON AREA

Safe Kids Trident (Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester counties) holds a free car seat check 4 p.m.-6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Babies 'R Us in North Charleston.  Call (843) 792-5327. Other permanent fitting stations in the Charleston area:

 

• Mt. Pleasant

Station 2 at 393 Egypt Road, by appointment. Call (843) 849-2771

Station 4 at 1153 Six Mile Road, by appointment. Call (843) 849-2050

Station 5 at 3001 Dunes West Blvd., by appointment.  Call (843) 849-2782

 

• Summerville

Summerville Fire and Rescue. All stations by appointment. Call (843) 873-5107

 

• North Charleston

Station 6 of the North Charleston Fire Department, by appointment.  Call (843) 740-2620.

 

• West Ashley

AAA Travel, by appointment.  Call (843) 766-2394

 

COLUMBIA

In conjunction with the Safe Kids Midlands, Children’s Hospital has provided funding to train 48 firefighters as child seat safety technicians. These firefighters are located at four fire stations:

 

• Station 7 at 2622 Main St.; (803) 733-8361
• Station 8 at 153 Atlas Road; (803) 695-0786
• Station 9 at 2847 Devine St.; (803) 733-8363
• Station 14 at 7214 Fire Lane Drive; (803) 788-3077 

 

These four stations will serve as permanent fitting stations. Parents may stop by any of the four locations without an appointment before 9 p.m.

 

FLORENCE

Safe Kids Florence operates a safety seat inspection station by appointment at McLeod Health Medical Plaza.  Call (843) 777-5021.  

 

GREENVILLE AND UPSTATE

Safe Kids Upstate is one of seven groups selected nationwide to take part in the Child Safety Seat Inspection Station pilot program. Funded by Safe Kids Worldwide through General Motors, the purpose is to create model car seat inspection locations and educate adults on child passenger safety and car seat use. As a result, three permanent locations offer appointments for inspections.

 

• Greer Fire Department, 103 W. Poinsett St. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. first and third Wednesdays each month. Call (864) 848-2166.
• Saturn of Greenville, 325 Woodruff Road; 2-6 p.m. first and third Fridays each month. Call (864) 234-6677.
• Medshore Ambulance Service, 3 Cannon Way (across from Greenville Memorial Hospital, next to McDonald’s); 2-6 p.m. fourth Wednesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. third Thursday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. one Saturday each month. Call (864) 250-2183.

 

These sites have specially trained car seat safety technicians. To ensure a thorough inspection, schedule an appointment and allow 30 minutes for each seat check. Parents must bring the children with them. For more information, contact Safe Kids Upstate at (864) 454-1109 or www.safekidsupstate.com.

 

GREENWOOD

Safe Kids Greenwood has an inspection station in the Sertoma Building at 111 E. Alexander Ave. Nationally certified technicians provide assistance 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday. For more information, call (864) 725-6042 or (864) 725-6059. 

 

HILTON HEAD

The Hilton Head/Bluffton Safe Kids has an inspection station at the Hilton Head Fire Department, 40 Summit Drive. Seat checks are held 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Fridays by appointment. Call (843) 682-5145.

 

KERSHAW

Safe Kids Kershaw County operates a child passenger safety seat inspection station at 124 Battleship Road in Camden.  Nationally certified technicians provide guidance on proper child restraint use and installation, as well as check restraints for recall histories. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. by appointment. Call Whitney Williams at (803) 432-4564.

 

ORANGEBURG

The Safe Kids Coalition for Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties has a safety seat inspection station at the Regional Medical Center, 3000 St. Matthews Road in Orangeburg.  Seat checks are conducted by appointment. Call (803) 395-2822.

 

ROCK HILL

Safe Kids York County has a safety seat inspection station at the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Headquarters, 1065 Heckle Blvd. in Rock Hill. Seat checks are held the first and third Monday of each month by appointment. Call (803) 324-3334.

 

STATEWIDE

A list of fitting stations is posted at the SC Department of Public Safety website, www.scdps.org. Parents also may contact SCDPS’ Office of Highway Safety to locate a trained technician. Call toll-free at 877-349-7187.