U.S. Study: Nine in 10 Parents Move Children from Booster Seat to Seat Belt Too Soon

U.S. Study: Nine in 10 Parents Move Children from Booster Seat to Seat Belt Too Soon

Safe Kids Worldwide report made possible in part by $2 million GM Foundation grant

2014-09-17

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OSHAWA, ON (September 17, 2014) – As part of Child Passenger Safety Week (September 14-20), Safe Kids Worldwide released a study that finds nine out of 10 parents in the U.S. take children out of car booster seats before they are tall enough.

The report, “Buckle Up: Booster Seats,” funded in part by a $2 million grant from the General Motors Foundation, also finds seven out of 10 U.S. parents do not know a child should be at least 4’9” (145 cm) tall to ride in a car without a booster seat. The study is based on a U.S. online survey of 1,000 parents of children ages 4 to 10.

“Car seats, booster seats and seat belts are engineered to offer more protection than ever,” said Kate Carr, president and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. “But we found there’s a need to remind parents, and anyone who drives a child, about the importance of using a booster seat until a child is at least 4’9” tall and weighs between 80-100 pounds.”

As part of General Motors of Canada’s commitment to safety, Chevrolet Canada is working with Parachute, a Canadian charity dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives, to host the Chevrolet Safe and Sure Car Seat Installation Workshop program. Workshops are held at Chevrolet dealerships in Toronto and Montreal to educate parents and caregivers on car seat safety, so they properly install their child’s car seat. Since the launch of the program more than 300 parents and caregivers have benefited, and workshops will be available in Vancouver starting in the fall of 2014.

“Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for Canadian children,” says Louise Logan, President and CEO of Parachute.  “Having the right car or booster seat for your child, ensuring it is installed correctly and using it on every ride will help your family stay safe on the road.”

For more program information or to register for a Safe and Sure workshop, visit www.safeandsure.ca.

About Safe Kids Worldwide

Safe Kids Worldwide a global non-profit organization dedicated to preventing unintentional childhood injury, the number one cause of death to children in the United States. Throughout the world, almost one million children die of an injury each year, and almost all of these tragedies are preventable. Safe Kids works with an extensive network of more than 500 coalitions in the U.S. and with partners in more than 25 countries to reduce traffic injuries, drownings, falls, burns, poisonings and more. Since 1988, Safe Kids has helped reduce the U.S. childhood death rate from unintentional injury by 56 percent. Working together, we can do much more for kids everywhere. Join our effort at safekids.org.

About the GM Foundation

Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, the Environment and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.

About Parachute

Parachute is dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives. A national charity, Parachute officially formed in July 2012 when the former Safe Communities Canada, Safe Kids Canada, SMARTRISK and ThinkFirst Canada joined together to become one leader in injury prevention. Parachute’s injury prevention solutions, knowledge mobilization, public policy, and social awareness efforts are designed to help keep Canadians safe. Parachute’s vision is an injury-free Canada with Canadians living long lives to the fullest. For information, visit us at parachutecanada.org, follow us on Twitter, and join us on Facebook.

About General Motors Canada

Headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario, General Motors of Canada Limited (GMCL) employs more than 9,000 people across the country and is a recognized leader in green manufacturing.  GMCL markets the full range of fuel-efficient Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles and related services through Canada’s largest automotive dealer network. More information regarding GMCL models can be found at www.gm.ca, or by following @GMCanada on Twitter.

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