"Children are our most valuable cargo and learning how to properly install a car seat could prevent injury." Veronica Lezama, President, Safe Kids California San Benito Partners/COG Transportation Planner
On Oct. 15, the Safe Kids California San Benito Partners conducted a Car Seat Safety Check-up, which was held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kmart parking lot in Hollister. More than 40 car seats were inspected by certified technicians from the California Highway Patrol, First Five San Benito County and the San Benito County Department of Public Health. The goal of the Car Seat Safety Check-up is to make sure all parents and caregivers are properly securing their children in the right car seat for the child's age and height.
Education and information to improve car seat safety is of critical need in our community. According to Safe Kids and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a correctly used safety seat reduces fatality risk by 71 percent and serious injury risk by 67 percent.
The Safe Kids California San Benito Partners thanked its sponsors, which included: California Safe Kids, State Farm Insurance, California Highway Patrol (Hollister/Gilroy, Morgan Hill area), First Five San Benito County and the San Benito County Department of Public Health. In addition, Safe Kids wishes to thank all of its volunteers, including: City of Hollister Fire Department and Hollister Women’s Club.
The goal of the Safe Kids Partners is to prevent unintentional childhood injuries through the collaborative efforts of community agencies to provide education and public awareness of the leading causes of injuries. Such agencies include the CHP, City of Hollister Recreation, City of Hollister Fire Department, City of Hollister Police Department, Council of San Benito County Governments, County of San Benito Health & Human Services Agency, First Five San Benito County, Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, Off the Chain Bikes, San Benito County Public Health Department, and the Youth Alliance.
For information on an upcoming Car Seat Safety Check-up event, attend the CHP’s Third Annual Seats for Treats and get your car seat inspected by a certified child passenger safety technician at Gilroy Gardens' main parking lot, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway in Gilroyon Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The first 100 cars will receive one free ticket to Gilroy Gardens. For more information, email [email protected]
