COLUMBUS, OHIO (January 26, 2000) -- National Child Passenger Safety Week is February 13-19, 2000.
To promote the week and Child Passenger Safety Month, the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) is assisting communities in setting up safety seat fitting stations. Many events will be coordinated through ODPS statewide and community-based traffic safety programs which will demonstrate the proper use of child safety seats.

"Parents must face reality. Most children are not buckled in the correct manner. One of the most common mistakes is that many parents believe that once their kids outgrow forward-facing child safety seats, buckling them in adult seats is enough," said Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

According to a recent study from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, specific data for Ohio indicates the rate of misuse to be 86 percent. The most common forms of misuse for rear- and forward-facing seats are: Safety belts are not holding seats in tightly; Harness straps are not snug; and Harness straps are not routed correctly.

"Adult lap and shoulder belts alone can be dangerous for children between 40-80 pounds and less than 4’9" tall. For these children, booster seats are critical. When your kids outgrow forward-facing child safety seats, please boost them before you buckle them and also have the seats inspected by a trained technician," said Lt. Governor O’Connor.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety is helping Ohio communities establish child safety seat checks and fitting stations through SAFE KIDS coalitions, local fire and EMS departments, health organizations, and other safety organizations to help reduce child fatalities on Ohio roadways. For more information throughout the year regarding child passenger safety, contact the ODPS Office of Communications at 614-466-4344.

For additional information, please contact Susan Watiker, Director of Communications at (614) 466-4344, and be sure to visit the ODPS on the World Wide Web at http://www.state.oh.us/odps.