HANSEN HELPING AT STATE FARM CAR SEAT EVENT

Parents interested in double-checking their children's car seat safe installation and use can stop at Betty Mousel State Farm in Fremont on July 23, state Rep. Goeff Hansen said today.

Hansen said he is looking forward to participating in the free event from noon to 3 p.m. at the insurance office, located at 7155 W. 48th St.

"I started helping with car seat checks several years ago and it's extremely gratified to know that a child is going to be safely secured in the vehicle because of the information and checks we are providing," said Hansen, R-Hart. "The more we can educate parents on proper child safety seat installation and raise awareness for booster seat laws in the Michigan the more young passengers will be protected while traveling in a car.
"It's been said before, but the bottom line is that child safety seats only work if they are properly installed and the child is correctly buckled."

A total of 98 percent of America's infants and 93 percent of children ages 1 to 3 are regularly buckled in, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, only 10 to 20 percent of children ages 4 through 7 who should be using booster seats do use them.

Children ages 4 to 8 who are placed in booster seats are 59 percent less likely to be injured in a car crash than children who are restrained only by a safety belt, according to a study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Parents can also obtain information on child passenger safety on the Internet at www.boostmikids.org.
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