February 14, 2005

LANSING—Parents of a Head Start classroom showed how much they care about their children this Valentine’s Day by learning traffic safety tips from "Bucklebear" in recognition of National Child Passenger Safety Week, Feb. 13-19.

As part of this special event, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) gave booster seats today to parents of Early Lansing Community College Head Start students at Central Free Methodist Church. Booster seats lift the child up so a safety belt fits correctly.

In addition, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm issued a proclamation declaring the week of Feb. 13 Child Passenger Safety Week in Michigan. The proclamation states: "Children unrestrained in a vehicle are three times more likely to suffer a serious injury compared to restrained children."

"There are too many children who are at risk because they are not riding in booster seats or child safety seats," said Michael L. Prince, OHSP Division Director. "As more parents and caregivers learn how they can save lives, that will change."

Children age 4-8 who use booster seats along with safety belts are 59 percent less likely to be injured in a car crash than children who are restrained by a safety belt alone, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA recommends booster seats in the back seat for children from about age 4 and 40 pounds to at least age 8, unless the child is 4’9".

Capital Area Community Services gave a Bucklebear presentation about car seat and air bag safety at the event. Bucklebear presentations encourage the use of child safety seats and safety belts. The Bucklebear mascot took pictures with the children and handed out stickers.

OHSP gave parents vouchers they can redeem at the Capital Area SAFE KIDS Coalition for child safety seats for younger siblings. Children are especially vulnerable in a crash because of the size and shape of their bodies. When traveling in a vehicle, young children should ride in child safety seats, which are designed to protect them by spreading the forces of a crash over their entire body.

Although 94 percent of infants and toddlers up to age 4 are now riding restrained in child safety seats, only 10-20 percent of children age 4-8, who should be riding in booster seats, are actually riding in them, according to NHTSA. For more information about child safety seat ease of use ratings or to find inspection stations by zip code, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.