National Child Passenger Safety week is Sept. 12-18, and its purpose is to bring public attention to the importance of properly securing all children in an appropriate child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt every trip, every time.
As part of Cook County Public Health & Human Services and Cook County North Shore Hospital’s collaborative effort, there are now Child Passenger Safety Technicians available to answer questions and educate the public about child passenger safety.
The services are available to all who are involved in transporting children, as it is the responsibility of every parent or caregiver to make sure their child is safely restrained every trip, every time.
Parents are urged to get their car seats inspected. Research shows that in Minnesota, 83 percent of child safety seats are used incorrectly. The three most common mistakes are incorrect seat for the child, loose harness, and loose installation of the seat in the vehicle. It is also worth noting that occupants are 37 percent safer in the back seat of a vehicle.
New state laws require all occupants of a vehicle to wear a seat belt, and that children under 8 years of age or less than 4 feet 9 inches must be secured in a safety seat.
For more information, contact Christine Kunze at (218) 387-3040, ext. 243 or Amy Lacina at (218) 387-3611 in Grand Marais; or Jennifer Schulz at (218) 475-2235 in Grand Portage.
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