Study finds 1 in 4 Parents have Driven without Buckling Up Children

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 16, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the past, two facts stood out when considering the safety of our children traveling in cars and trucks – motor vehicle crashes are the leading killer of children ages 1 to 13, and 70-90 percent of child safety seats are improperly installed. A new study by a leading child safety organization, Safe Kids Worldwide, has added a third – 1 in 4 parents have driven with children in the car not secured at all.

Ed Beaudette from Nevada City knows that all too well. In 2003 a traffic crash took the life of his 9 month old daughter. It was a tragedy that might not have happened if his daughter had been properly buckled into her car seat. From the heartbreak of losing his daughter rose his commitment to help others insure the same thing won't happen to them.

The California Office of Traffic Safety, the California Department of Public Health, Safe Kids Greater Sacramento and Dignity Health are sponsoring a press opportunity on Tuesday, September 17, to highlight Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 15-21) and to promote National Seat Check Saturday, which will take place on September 21.  This effort is being undertaken to bring awareness and encourage people to have their child safety seats checked for proper installation.

WHAT: Press opportunity. Interview Ed Beaudette, receive latest study on children not secured, view parents getting free child safety seat inspections and instructions from certified child safety seat technicians, speak to representatives from the California Office of Traffic Safety, California Department of Public Health, and Safe Kids Greater Sacramento Coalition

WHO: Ed Beaudette, father of child killed in traffic crash, child safety seat activist
Chris Cochran, Assistant Director, California Office of Traffic Safety
Jennifer Rubin, Safe Kids Greater Sacramento Coalition Coordinator
Kate Bernacki, California Department of Public Health

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2011, 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  
Child Safety Seat inspections continue to 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Methodist Hospital of Sacramento
7500 Hospital Drive, Sacramento, CA 95823
Car seat inspections and press availabilities held in Bruceville Road Parking Lot       

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