Child Passenger Safety Week September 21-27!
Child Passenger Safety Week is a national observance that has occurred each year since the early 1990’s designed to bring attention to the importance of using a proper child safety restraint EVERY TIME a child is transported in a motor vehicle.
According to the CDC, in 2005, 1,451 child occupants ages 14 and under died in motor vehicle crashes and more than 200,000 were injured. The Virginia Department of Health also reports that a child wearing an adult seat belt before he/she is ready is 3 times more likely to be injured in a crash than if using a booster seat! According to NHTSA, during the past 30 years, approximately 8,325 children's lives have been saved by the use of child restraints.
Roanoke Fire-EMS, Safe Kids Roanoke, NHTSA and the Virginia Dept. of Health want you to remember the following 4 steps for kids:
1. Use rear-facing infant seats in the back seat from birth to at least one year of age and at least 20 pounds. Children should be kept rear-facing as long as possible based on the recommendations of each individual child safety seat. Never install a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a car with airbags. This can cause serious injury or death to your baby if you are involved in an accident.
2. Use forward-facing toddler seats with a harness in the back seat from age one and 20 pounds to about age four and 40 pounds. Children should be kept in a harness as long as possible based on the recommendations of each individual child safety seat.
3. Use booster seats in the back seat from about age four to at least age eight.
4. Use safety belts in the back seat at age eight or older or taller than 4ft. 9 inches. All children age 12 or younger should ride in the back seat- every time!
September 20th is "Seat Check Saturday". A seat check event will be held on this day at Toys R Us at Valley View Mall from 10am-2pm.
To schedule a child safety seat installation appointment, please call the Public Education Department at 540-853-5785.
Roanoke Fire-EMS encourages all Roanoke residents to practice fire safety steps every day. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility and fire prevention precautions DO make a difference! The Fire Prevention Division of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department offers fireplace safety and/ or home fire safety inspections at no cost. Citizens can call 853-2795 to set up an appointment. Citizens in need can also receive a smoke detector at no cost. Call 853-5785 for more information.
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