Motor vehicle accidents can happen to anyone at any time. Allowing a child or another passenger ride unrestrained is not only illegal, it is life-threatening. The consequences of sustaining a life-long injury or death are never worth the risk. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles,61% or 1,301 of the vehicle occupants killed in crashes in 2006 were unrestrained. Of the 110 children ages 0-18 years old involved in those crashes, 72% of the fatalities were not using safety equipment. Buckling up is still the most effective way to reduce injuries and save lives from motor vehicle crashes in America. However, many adults and children still ride unrestrained or unknowingly use child restraints improperly. In Florida, over 96 percent of child safety seats and booster seats inspected by certified technicians are found to be improperly installed, according to data collected from fitting stations and child safety seat check-up events. We are using this important program to remind families about the importance of buckling up and correctly installing the appropriate child safety seat in the vehicle.

In August 2003, the Department was awarded a $34,000.00 grant package from the Florida Department of Transportation. This grant award is used to fund the K.I.S.S. campaign (kids in safer seats). This campaign encompasses several areas: Our certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians can check your child’s car seat for correct installation. Please call 386-506-5900 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. to schedule an appointment. In addition, our Department offers replacement of recalled/unsafe seats at little or no cost to low-income families.

Remember these important tips! Infants must ride rear-facing from birth to 1 year of age and must NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger air bag. Toddlers at least 1 year of age who weigh over 20 pounds should ride in a forward-facing child safety seat. Children 4 to 8 years of age and up to 4 feet 9 inches in height should use a belt-positioning booster seat because the adult safety belt does not fit this age group correctly. Older children, over 4 feet 9 inches, should use a safety belt. Unfortunately, a recent report from the Child Passenger Safety Summit found that children 8 to 15 years of age are less likely to buckle up, accounting for higher fatality rates. Many drivers simply do not believe they will be in a crash. As a result, they do not wear vehicle safety belts or make sure children are properly restrained for every ride. Our goal is to make sure that families understand the necessity of using the proper restraint every time they ride in a motor vehicle. Buckle yourself and buckle your child!

Port Orange-Fire Rescue is a leading authority on child passenger safety and acts as a consultant and resource to OB/GYN physicians, area hospitals, civic organizations, parenting groups, area schools, car dealerships and others. K.I.S.S. is an original program designed and implemented by Port Orange Fire-Rescue. For more information on the K.I.S.S. program or to schedule a Child Safety Seat Inspection, please call (386)506-5900.