CINCINNATI, OHIO - Since vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children ages 2 to 14, representatives from Trauma Services at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center will join forces with Beechmont Chevrolet to promote child passenger safety. Experts from Trauma Services will be on hand to answer questions at the "Ask the Expert" display and provide educational information on how to properly restrain a child. Families will also have the chance to win a free car seat.
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 26
Beechmont Chevrolet, 7600 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2003, there were 471 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities among children under 5 years of age. Of those 471 fatalities, an estimated 167 were totally unrestrained. During the past four years, Cincinnati Children's in collaboration with local police, fire and health departments have completed over 10,000 car seat checks to prevent related injuries in the Cincinnati area.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to have their car seats inspected and follow these 4 steps to protect children in motor vehicles:
• Children up to at least 1 year of age and weighing less than 20 pounds should use a rear-facing car seat.
• Children between ages 1 and 4 and weighing between 20 and 40 pounds should use a forward-facing car seat with an internal harness.
• Children weighing between 40 and 80 pounds who are less than 4'9" tall should use a belt-positioning booster seat.
• Children weighing 80 pounds or more who are at least 4'9" tall should use a seat belt.
For more information about the proper use of booster seats, visit Children's Hospital's car/vehicle safety page at: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/safety/vehicle or call (513) 636-7865.
Various locations throughout Cincinnati, including Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati, offer free car seat fittings. For a fitting appointment, call the following stations. If you cannot get an appointment within 7-10 days, you might want to call another fitting station location. To find a car seat fitting location near you: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/safety/vehicle/car-seat-fit-search.htm
