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Child Passenger Safety Week   Printer Friendly

WHEREAS, motor vehicle injuries remain the leading cause of death among children in the United States. In 2008, three children under 14 years old in Alaska lost their lives on our roadways; and

WHEREAS, 15 of 32 motor vehicle occupants age 14 and under killed on Alaska roadways between 2001 and 2008 were not restrained properly; and

WHEREAS, Alaska law states that all children under four years of age must be secured in a properly fitted child restraint device, and children over four must be secured in an approved child safety seat, booster seat, or safety belt, whichever is appropriate for the particular child; and

WHEREAS, all passengers, regardless of age, must use a seat belt or appropriate restraint device; and

WHEREAS, when used correctly, child safety seats can prevent injuries and save lives, but approximately three out of four parents do not properly use child restraints; and

WHEREAS, infants should ride in rear-facing safety seats as long as possible, at least until they are 12 months old and weigh at least 20 pounds. Children over one year old, who weigh 20-40 pounds and can no longer ride rear-facing, should ride in forward-facing child safety seats. When children outgrow a forward-facing safety seat they should ride in a booster seat until they are able to safely use a seatbelt. Children ages four to seven who use boosters are 59 percent less likely to be injured in a car crash than children who are restrained by a seat belt; and

WHEREAS, the safest place for all children up to age 13 is in the back seat; and

WHEREAS, all Alaskans, communities, and organizations have the opportunity to join together through public information, education, and enforcement efforts to significantly reduce death and serious injury to children in Alaska;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the state of Alaska, do hereby proclaim September 12-18, 2009 as:

Child Passenger Safety Week

in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to buckle up and ride safely.

Dated: September 18, 2009

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