Office of Highway Safety partners with Public Health Services District Injury Prevention Program on child passenger safety
FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Public Health Services District (CCPHSD) Injury Prevention Program has enjoyed a successful partnership with the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in promoting child passenger safety and driver awareness since 2003.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages three to 14. Research shows that as children age, they are less likely to be in the appropriate child safety seat for their age and weight. Fortunately, correctly used child safety seats are extremely effective and reduce the risk of injury and death as much as 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers. Children ages 4-8 using belt-positioning booster seats were 45 percent less likely to sustain injuries than similar aged kids who used seat belts alone.
Child Passenger Safety, which is the heart of the CCPHSD Injury Prevention Program, teaches families how to safely transport their children. Certified child passenger safety technicians and instructors inspect child safety seats at several community events throughout the year and educate parents and caregivers.
The CCPHSD Injury Prevention Program, with funding from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, will reach the under-served areas in Coconino County to provide car seat safety education and participate in events to enhance the existing child safety program, materials and supplies.
The grant from the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in the amount of $9,830 will be spent on the above objective by Sept. 30, 2016, with an additional $2,052 to go towards bicycle and pedestrian safety and awareness.
For more information on the CCPHSD Injury Prevention Program, call 928-679-7262 or visit www.coconino.az.gov/health.