ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 10, 2000 CONTACT: Dave Druker or CONTACT: Randy Nehrt

Secretary White Reminds Parents to Be Safe & Buckle Up Their Kids During Child Passenger Safety Week

SPRINGFIELD –– Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White reminds parents that February 13^th through the 19^th is child passenger safety week.

Nationally, injuries from vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children from newborn to14 years old. In the U.S., 80 percent of children are improperly restrained.

"Our children are our future," White said. "It is important that we take this time to make sure that we are taking the necessary precautions to keep our kids safe while they are in the car."

Child safety seats reduced the rate of fatal injury by 69 percent, so White reminds parents to use them properly.

Parents should never place the rear-facing safety seats in the front passenger seat if the car is equipped with a passenger airbag that has not been shut off, White said.

Another good piece of advice, put children under age 12 in the back seat, where they are the safest.

To ensure that parents are correctly installing their child safety seats, White urges people to call the National Auto Safety Hotline at 800-888-327-4236 or write the Secretary of State’s Traffic Safety Division, Attn. Child Passenger Safety, 2701 S. Dirksen Pkwy., Springfield, IL 62723.

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