Safe Kids Worldwide® and State Farm® have joined forces to launch the Good Neighbor Car Seat Safety Program, a significant initiative aimed at bolstering child passenger safety across the United States. Timed with Child Passenger Safety Week (September 17-23), this program introduces car seat checkup events in 25 communities nationwide over the coming months. The core objective is to improve access to crucial education and resources, fostering behavioral changes and establishing a robust safety culture for children and families on the road.
At each of these community-based events, Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be on hand to provide expert guidance to parents and caregivers. These technicians will work directly with families to ensure children are correctly secured in the appropriate car seat for their age and size, every single journey, every time. This hands-on assistance is vital for promoting the correct use of car seats, a critical aspect of child safety.
The urgency of this program is underscored by sobering statistics:
- Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of fatality for children aged 1-12 in the U.S., according to the CDC.
- In 2021, NHTSA data reveals that one in three children under 13 years old who died in car crashes were not properly restrained.
- Research from Safe Kids Worldwide indicates that over half of child car seats are either used or installed incorrectly, highlighting a significant gap in safety practices.
“A child safety seat that is correctly used and properly installed can dramatically decrease the risk of injury by as much as 71 percent. However, far too many families lack access to the necessary education and safety equipment that every child deserves,” emphasizes Torine Creppy, President of Safe Kids Worldwide. “We deeply appreciate State Farm’s ongoing commitment to child safety. Through their continued partnership, we are eager to expand our reach, impacting more families, preventing injuries, and ultimately saving young lives.”
Sonya Robinson, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at State Farm, adds, “State Farm has been dedicated to auto safety for decades and we understand the life-saving impact of car seats in ensuring children arrive home safely each day. This understanding fuels our enthusiasm to broaden our collaboration with Safe Kids Worldwide, empowering more parents with the essential tools and knowledge to protect their children while traveling.”
This collaborative State Farm Car Seat Program represents a crucial step forward in enhancing child passenger safety by combining education, expert assistance, and community engagement to make a tangible difference in the lives of families across the nation.
