Safe Kids USA Offers Car Seat Inspections for National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 20

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2008 - Safe Kids coalitions around the country are holding nearly 900 vehicle safety events for families during the month of September, including more than 200 car seat checkup events on Sept. 20 for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Seat Check Saturday.

Coalitions are conducting several different types of educational events to reach as many families as possible during the month of September in celebration of Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from Sept. 21 to 27. Certified child passenger safety technicians will provide hands-on instruction in installing child safety seats at a wide variety of community locations such as General Motors dealerships, hospitals, malls, fire stations and police departments.

"It's the responsibility of every parent and caregiver to make sure their children are safely restrained in a vehicle-on every trip, every time," said Mitch Stoller, President and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. "Safe Kids is offering nearly 900 community events during the month of September and we urge every family to get their car seats inspected and learn more about keeping children safe in and around vehicles. When it comes to the safety of a child, there is no room for mistakes."

Stoller today joined Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters and Acting NHTSA Administrator David Kelly at a news conference to announce the Seat Check Saturday events. NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Ports is also attending a local Safe Kids checkup event at the Harbor Hospital Life Resource Center in Baltimore.

"As any EMT, policeman or fire official will tell you, a properly installed child safety seat could mean the difference between life and death," Secretary Peters said. "I know America's parents are busy, but a few minutes of your time tomorrow could save you a lifetime of regret."

Studies show correctly used child safety seats are extremely effective, reducing the risk of death by as much as 71 percent. But nearly 73 percent of child restraints are not installed or used correctly. Nearly half of children who die in crashes are completely unrestrained.

"It is well documented that the use and correct installation of child restraints save lives and prevent serious injury," said Acting Administrator Kelly. "We are very fortunate to partner with a program like Safe Kids Buckle Up to educate thousands of families during our Seat Check Saturday activities. It is organizations like this that make a difference in child safety."

During CPS Week, Safe Kids will also be offering educational seminars, ask the expert sessions, Spot the Tot and Cub Scouts Automotive Safety Patch activities that teach children how to be safer in and around vehicles. Additionally, one of Safe Kids Buckle Up's mobile car seat checkup vans will be stationed at General Motors Test Track at EPCOT Center in Orlando, Fla. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions from parents and caregivers throughout the week.

Safe Kids Buckle Up is the child passenger safety program of Safe Kids USA in partnership with General Motors and Chevrolet. The program holds child safety seat checkups and other vehicle safety events throughout the year. Since 1997, Safe Kids Buckle Up has inspected one million car seats; held approximately 50,000 car seat checkup events around the country; donated approximately 365,000 car seats to families in need; and educated more than 17 million parents and caregivers.