September 14-20 is Child Passenger Safety Week

SafeKids Campbell County hosts Boost 'til 9 project on Saturday, September 20

GILLETTE, WY – This week is Child Passenger Safety Week (September 14-20) and SafeKids Campbell County aims to keep kids safe while riding in the car.

SafeKids Campbell County, in partnership with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, will participate in National Seat Check Saturday on September 20 and encourage parents to know the Wyoming law. Parents can join SafeKids Campbell County from 10 am-2 pm on Saturday at the Campbell County Public Health Parking Lot, 2301 S. 4-J Road. At the event, parents can have a child passenger technician check their child's safety restraint and make sure their safety seat is up to date and installed properly with no recalls! A limited number of booster seats available free of charge—the parent, child and the vehicle must be present. Limited replacement seats will be available for a contribution.

Wyoming law states that children under 9 years old must be secured in an appropriate child restraint in the back seat of the vehicle. Children in rear-facing infant seats must not be in front of an active airbag. It is a PRIMARY offense to not have your child safely and properly secured. Law enforcement can and will stop you for not restraining your child correctly and you can be fined. Child safety seats are required by law in every state because they provide the best protection for infants and young children.

This is the six annual Boost 'til 9 statewide initiative—last year, 25 booster seats were checked and 32 were distributed in 14 locations across the state with the Boost 'til 9 project. This year, there will be six child passenger safety checks with a booster seat emphasis throughout Wyoming throughout September with a booster seat emphasis. Every site will stress the importance of using the appropriate seat for the child's height, weight and age as well as the correct fit for the child and the vehicle. Trained and certified child passenger safety technicians will be at each location to help with compatibility issues and to answer questions. Booster seats will be available at each site with technicians assisting families to know if a booster is right for their child and then which booster is appropriate for the child and the vehicle.

For more information on child passenger safety or the date, time and location of a check in another area, call 307-688-7233 or visit www.safekidswyoming.org.

When do you use a booster seat? Children who have outgrown child safety seats should be properly restrained in booster seats. Seat belts may be used when a child can ride comfortably with their back and buttocks against the vehicle seat back with the shoulder belt on the shoulder resting snugly over the chest and lap belt low across the hip or upper thigh. Knees should be completely bent over at the edge of the vehicle seat with feet flat on the floor, and able to stay comfortably seated this way for the entire trip.

Media Contact
Karen Clarke
Manager Community Relations
Phone: 307-688-1581
Email: karen.clarke@ccmh.net