AAA and University of Michigan Health System Launch 'Booster Seat Story' for Young Children

Sammy the Squirrel makes booster seats fun

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 16 -- In a collaborative effort designed to appeal to young children, AAA and the University of Michigan Program for Injury Research and Education (UMPIRE) have authored a color storybook and a coloring book that promote booster seat use among child passengers from 4-8 years of age.

The books -- both titled "What's Right For Me?" -- feature Sammy the Squirrel, his parents and the Otters -- a family of four with both a child safety seat and a booster seat installed in their vehicle. Departing from traditional occupant safety literature, the publications focus on the child's point of view regarding comfort, visibility and the excitement of choosing a new booster seat.

"Our hope is that kids will want a booster seat after reading or hearing this story," said Linda M. Woolwine, president/COO of AAA Michigan. "The safety community has had limited success reaching parents with its booster seat safety message. This time, we're going to the source."

According to UMPIRE Program Administrator Sandra Wilcock, there is a tendency among parents and other caregivers to transition their children from child safety seats directly to an adult safety belt and/or shoulder harness. That means child passengers in the critical age range between 4 and 8 are at higher risk for death or injury in the event of a crash.

"People think that after their child turns 4 he or she doesn't need a car seat anymore," said Wilcock. "Nothing could be further from the truth."

According to Wilcock, a young child wearing only an adult safety belt can suffer serious or fatal injury if the safety belt rides up over his or her stomach or neck.

"A recent government study showed that less than half of parents and caregivers were even aware of booster seats. Most had no concerns about their child's safety in an adult seat belt," said Wilcock. "Placing children in age-appropriate restraint systems reduces serious and fatal injuries by more than half."

To stress the importance of booster seats in reducing injuries and deaths among child passengers, AAA and UMPIRE will donate "What's Right for Me?" storybooks to elementary schools throughout AAA's service territory in the Midwest. This color booklet is designed specifically for teacher use with groups of young students, and will include teaching points and tips for parents.

The coloring book version of "What's Right for Me?" can be ordered by teachers and is available to the general public at local AAA branch offices or online at http://aaa.com/ (enter your ZIP code and go to: About Us, Press Releases).

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children of every age from 2 to 14 years old.