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National Child Passenger Safety Week February 11 - 17, 2007
Jersey Shore, PA - The Jersey Shore Hospital Car Seat Loaner Program, funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), has car seats available for families from Lycoming and Clinton Counties. Care seats are made available to assist needy and low-income families follow the law and keep children safe when riding in vehicles. If you need to rent or borrow a car seat, please contact Jersey Shore Hospital at (570) 398-0100. Car seats are available to fit babies and children in all age groups requiring safety seats.
The Jersey Shore Hospital Loan Program and PennDOT will celebrate Child Passenger Safety Week with loan programs across the nation from February 11-17, 2007. The theme chosen for Pennsylvania, "Buckle Up for Life!" demonstrates the importance that people should buckle up throughout their entire life - from their first ride home after birth, continuing through adulthood. As children progress through different stages of growth and development, their child restraints need to change and it is important that parents don't miss a step in safely restraining their children. According to the 2006 Partnership for Child Passenger Safety (PCPS) Fact and Trend Report, last year in Pennsylvania, 84% of children between the ages of birth and eight were restrained. That same report stated that in Pennsylvania in 2006 only 48% of children, ages four to eight were restrained. Clearly, a step is being missed in restraining older children.
During Child Passenger Safety Week, it is important to stress the "4 Steps for Kids" as set by the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Step #1: Infants ride rear facing in infant seats until 20 pounds or one year
Step #2: Children age four and at least 40 pounds use a forward facing toddler seat
Step #3: Booster seats are used between the ages of four and 40 pounds to age eight
Step #4: Ages eight through adulthood use lap and shoulder safety belts
Under Pennsylvania's child passenger safety law, all drivers are responsible for securing children in the appropriate child restraint system. Under Pennsylvania's seat belt law, all drivers are responsible for front seat passengers to properly wear a lap and shoulder seat belt system.
Celebrate Child Passenger Safety Week with us by checking the safety of every person who rides in your vehicle. For more information call 1-800-CAR-BELT.
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