NEWS RELEASE
February 10, 2000

Department of Community Health and Senator Mike Rogers Promote Child Passenger Safety Week

Michigan Department of Community Health Director, James K. Haveman, Jr. and Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Rogers today encouraged parents and care givers to take the time to learn how to correctly use a car seat in order to protect the lives of Michigan's children. Haveman and Rogers kicked off Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs in Michigan from February 13 through 19.

"Injury is the leading cause of death to children of all ages," said Haveman. "Car seats are extremely effective when correctly used and installed, reducing the risk of death by 71 percent for infants under age one and by 54 percent for toddlers ages one to four."

"As a father of two, I didn't know I was not putting my children in their car seats correctly until I went to a car seat check-up and was shown the proper way to protect my children," said Rogers. "These seemingly small mistakes can potentially lead to tragic consequences for children and families."

"I strongly urge parents to go to one of the car seat check up events next week," said Rogers. "It could save your child's life."

During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Department of Community Health and the Michigan SAFE KIDS Coalition will increase public awareness about the importance of properly restraining children on every ride. As part of the Campaign's partnership with General Motors through SAFE KIDS BUCKLE UP, Coalitions will host Car Seat Check Ups at sites statewide to teach parents and care givers about proper car seat installation.

Car Seat Check Ups will be held in Michigan at the following locations:

• Lincoln Park, February 16, at the Lincoln Park Fire Department, 1355 Cleophus, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• Lansing, February 17, at Glenn Buege Buick, 3625 S. Pennsylvania, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Farmington Hills, February 18, at the Farmington Hills Fire Department, 11 Mile and Orchard Lake Road, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Please call (313) 745-5457 to schedule.
• Portage, February 19, at Cole Gilmore Pontiac/Cadillac, 6600 S. Westnedge, from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Royal Oak, February 19, at Matthews-Hargreaves Chevrolet, 2000 E. 12 Mile Road, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Sault Ste. Marie, February 19, at Sadler Motors, Inc., 3055 Mackinaw Trail, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Grand Rapids, February 19, at American Medical Response, 517 S. Division, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Parents should bring their child in their car seat to these inspections. Persons interested in obtaining a brochure on car seat safety should call 1-800-626-4636.

Michigan has received a Chevy Venture Mobil Car Seat Check Up Van that will serve as a resource for child passenger safety. The van will be used at car seat check ups in Michigan.

Michigan SAFE KIDS is affiliated with the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, a program of the Children's National Medical Center and the only nationwide organization dedicated to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury. Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop serves as its chairman and Johnson & Johnson is the founding sponsor. The Michigan Department of Community Health is the lead agency for Michigan SAFE KIDS, which was established in Lansing in 1995.