Michigan Department of Community Health Director, James K. Haveman, Jr., today encouraged parents and care givers to take the time to learn how to correctly use a car seat in order to protect the lives of Michigan's children as he kicked off Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs in Michigan from February 11 through 17.

"Injury is the leading cause of death to children of all ages," said Haveman. "Car seats are extremely effective when correctly used and installed, reducing the risk of death by 71 percent for infants under age one and by 54 percent for toddlers ages one to four."

Michigan has done a great deal to promote child passenger safety and various programs are in place to ensure child safety seats are made available to families in need. In fiscal year 2000, 10,354 child safety seats were checked by the Michigan Department of Community Health and Michigan SAFE KIDS Coalitions and more than 3,500 safety seats were distributed at Car Seat Check Ups. The Department of Community Health also distributed 1,077 child safety seats to families with financial need through give-away or loaner programs.

Last year, Governor Engler signed into law SB 661, sponsored by then Senator Mike Rogers, which created a child car seat safety grant program in the Department of Community Health. The $300,000 program will provide training, promotion and education regarding child restraint systems.

During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Department of Community Health and the Michigan SAFE KIDS Coalition will increase public awareness about the importance of properly restraining children on every ride. As part of the Campaign's partnership with General Motors through SAFE KIDS BUCKLE UP, Coalitions will host Car Seat Check Ups at sites statewide to teach parents and care givers about proper car seat installation.

"Many parents have told us that they didn't know they were using car seats incorrectly until they came to a car seat check-up and were shown the proper way to protect their children," said Haveman. "These seemingly small mistakes could lead to tragic consequences for children and families. I strongly urge parents to go to one of the car seat check up events next week. It could save your child's life."

Car Seat Check Ups will be held in Michigan at the following locations:

Saginaw, Saturday February 10, at McDonald Pontiac GMC, 5155 State Street, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information call (517) 790-5155.

Lansing, Thursday February 15, at Glenn Buege Buick, 3625 S. Pennsylvania, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For information call (517) 335-9523.

Farmington Hills, Tuesday February 13, Farmington Hills Fire Department, 31455 West 11 Mile, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and again from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For an appointment call (248) 426-4400.

Georgetown Twp/Jenison, Tuesday February 13, 44th Street Fire Station, 1415 44th Street, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information call (616) 399-5184

Wyoming, Wednesday February 14, Wyoming Fire Station, 1500 Burton, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For an appointment call (616) 391-3563

Holland, Thursday February 15, Elhart Pontiac, 822 Chicago Drive, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For information call (616) 399-5184

Ypsilanti, Thursday February 15, Suburban Pontiac Buick GMC, 444 James L. Hart Parkway, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. For information call: (734) 763-2554

Kalamazoo, Saturday February 17, DeNooyer Chevrolet, 5800 Stadium Drive, from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information call: (616) 341-8830

Davison, Saturday February 17, Hank Graff Chevrolet, 800 North State, from10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information call: (810)762-7064

Saginaw, Saturday February 24, Garber Buick Flagship, 5925 State Street, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call: (517) 497-4444

Parents should bring their child in their car seat to these inspections. Persons interested in obtaining a brochure on car seat safety should call 1-800-626-4636. Michigan has received a Chevy Venture Mobil Car Seat Check Up Van that will serve as a resource for child passenger safety and will be used at car seat check ups in Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Community Health is the lead agency for Michigan SAFE KIDS, which was established in Lansing in 1995.