Child Passenger Safety Seat Checkpoint
KINGSPORT – In conjunction with National Child Passenger Safety Week, which is observed during the week of September 16 through 22, 2012, the Kingsport Police Department and the Kingsport Fire Department will be conducting a joint Child Passenger Safety Seat Checkpoint. This checkpoint will take place on Friday, September 21, 2012 from 3:30 PM until 5:30 PM at the Kingsport Fire Department Fire Station #2 located at 1804 Crescent Drive in Kingsport.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the United States.‚ But many of these deaths can be prevented. Placing children in age and size appropriate car seats and booster seats reduces serious and fatal injuries by more than half.
In the United States during 2009, 1,314 children ages 14 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and approximately 179,000 were injured.
One CDC study found that, in one year, more than 618,000 children ages 0-12 rode in vehicles without the use of a child safety seat or booster seat or a seat belt at least some of the time.
Leading up to the event, K.P.D. Patrol Officer Terry Christian and K.F.D. Public Education Officer Barry Brickey, who are both certified child passenger safety seat technicians, will be visiting local elementary schools providing child passenger safety seat education and advertising this upcoming checkpoint.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to stop by the checkpoint and have their childs car seat inspected and/or properly installed by certified child passenger safety seat technicians.
A limited number of child passenger safety seats and booster seats will be available for distribution for those who may be in need of one.