Child Passenger Safety has gotten a lot of attention in the state and national news due to the numerous injuries and deaths associated with unrestrained children in motor vehicle crashes (MVC). The best way families can protect their children from injury and death during MVC is to always transport a child in an appropriate child safety seat. Among Native Americans ages 1-44, the leading cause of death is MVC and among those killed, 86% were not using any type of vehicle restraints including car seats.
In an effort to assist our Early Childhood Education Center families acquire the right safety seat for their child and provide hands on training in the use of that safety seat, the ECEC staff are pleased to announce that we have been selected as an Indian Health Service Ride Safe site for the third year in a row. During the week of September 14 - 18th, the ECEC celebrated Child Passenger Safety week by hosting its first Car Seat Distribution. Although we hear many parents say, "we just live up the road, I don't need a booster seat." We at the ECEC know that car crashes occur most commonly within a few miles from the home. We encourage parents to come and pick up a free booster seat already reserved for their child. We only need a child's height, weight, and a vehicle present to demonstrate how to install the booster seat. IT'S THAT SIMPLE.
Throughout the school year the ECEC staff and Community child passenger safety partners (Public Health, SRPD, SRFD, Health Education) will be conducting education, skills education, and child safety seat distribution activities. ECEC teachers will be carrying out CPS activities in the classroom during the school year as well.
Our next seat check will be held in conjunction with the Salt River Fire Dept Safety Day. Please come by and see what it’s all about.
We hope that all parents learn the value of traveling safely in a vehicle and protect their future generations to come.
In the back seat. In a booster seat. Every time. Until your child is 4'9".
