Published on Friday, June 8, 2007
in the Autochannel

The State of Florida, Florida Highway Patrol and 21st Century Insurance Bring Lifesaving Child Safety Campaign to Tampa

TAMPA, Fla.--As part of a statewide partnership to reduce the leading cause of fatalities among children, the State of Florida, the Florida Highway Patrol and 21st Century Insurance will hold a child safety seat inspection in Tampa on Saturday, June 9.

Florida law requires that all children 5 years of age or younger must ride properly restrained in a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. For children aged 3 years and younger, such a restraint device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer’s integrated child seat. For children aged 4-5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat or a seat belt may be used.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children under age 15. More than 50 percent of the deaths occurred as a result of children riding in the motor vehicle completely unrestrained.

The NHTSA also estimates that 80 percent of children are riding in child safety restraints that are improperly installed.

The event will be held at University Mall, 2200 E. Fowler Ave., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. this Saturday, June 9, with 21st safety spokesman Erik Estrada on hand to help deliver lifesaving tips and sign autographs.

Certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect and teach parents to install their child safety seats. If necessary, technicians will replace broken, recalled or non-age-appropriate seats with brand-new child safety seats donated by 21st. Technicians will teach parents and caregivers how to use and install the seats. Children must accompany vehicles for proper fitting and will be helped on a first come, first served basis.

“Recent national statistics show that more than 80 percent of children in vehicles are unrestrained or buckled up incorrectly,” said Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Reggie Edwards. “A properly installed child safety seat can make the difference between a safe, healthy child and one who’s injured or killed.”

Actor Erik Estrada, best known as “Ponch” on the hit TV show “CHiPs,” will join fair participants to spread the word on child seat safety. “Wearing your seatbelt and making sure your children are properly buckled up is the best insurance against being killed or seriously injured in many vehicle crashes,” Estrada said. “I urge all parents to have their child’s safety seat inspected. Just a few minutes could save a life.”

Federal statistics show a critical need for education regarding booster seat use:

According to recent data from NHTSA, at least 80 percent of children who should ride in booster seats currently do not.

NHTSA recommends that children who weigh more than 40 pounds or who have outgrown their 5-point harness system should be placed in a booster seat.

Using a booster seat allows the seat belt to be positioned across the child where it is most effective and lowers the risk of injury to children in crashes by 59 percent.

The Florida program is modeled after the company’s successful efforts in seven other states. Since 21st premiered its safety initiative in California six years ago, more than 10,300 child safety seats have been inspected; 21st has donated more than 8,400 new child safety seats; and more than 3,600 broken, recalled or non-age-appropriate seats have been destroyed.

To help inform the public, 21st has created “Child Safety Seats: A Parent’s Guide” to explain proper seat installation and use. The guide, available in English or Spanish, can be obtained at the safety fairs as well as directly from 21st by contacting the company’s corporate headquarters at 1-800-211-SAVE or visiting its Web site, 21st.com/safety.