January 10, 2001 - Cincinnati Children's Events for National Child Passenger Safety Week, Feb. 11-17, 2001
CINCINNATI -- Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati is providing the community with a free Car Seat Presentation on Feb. 13 and a Car Seat Safety Check on Feb. 15 in conjunction with National Child Passenger Safety Week, Feb. 11-17, 2001.
The Car Seat Presentation will be at Terry Lee Chevrolet at the Kings AutoMall on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The presentation will include information on car seat safety, how to select the correct car seat for your child's weight and height and car seat installation tips. Free refreshments will be provided and there will be a drawing for a car seat.
The Car Seat Safety Check will be at Springfield Township Fire Department at 10335 Burlington Road on Thursday, Feb. 15, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. During the inspection, trained personnel offer guidance on car seats and the law, choosing the right car seat, correct car seat installation and restraining your child in a car seat.
Throughout 2000, Cincinnati Children's and participating police and fire stations checked almost 1,900 car seats. Misuse was recorded in almost 90 percent of the car seats that were installed by the parents. The leading cause of misuse (75 percent) was that the car seats were not secured tightly in the vehicle.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to have their car seats inspected and follow these four steps to protect children in motor vehicles:
- Children less than one year old that weigh less than 20 pounds should use a rear-facing car seat.
- Children between ages one and four that weigh between 20 and 40 pounds should use a forward-facing car seat.
- Children weighing between 40 and 80 pounds that are less than 4 feet 9 inches tall should use a belt-positioning booster seat.
- Children weighing about 80 pounds that are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall should use a seat belt because the child is large enough to fit the belt correctly.
Free car seat safety inspections are available throughout the year at various locations in Greater Cincinnati. To find a nearby location, enter your zip code in the Cincinnati Children's online fitting station finder, or call 513-636-7865.
Contact Information
Billie Rhamy, (billie.rhamy@cchmc.org), Children's Hospital Medical Center, 513-636-5639
