Los Angeles: The purpose for this media advisory is to provide information to the community that will enhance knowledge and awareness of traffic enforcement and traffic safety issues. The emphasis this month is on Child Passenger Safety and Seat Belts in honor of American Buckles-up Children Mobilization Month, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death among children ages 5 to 14 and the results are staggering. More than 500 children are killed and 95,000 are injured annually. Many of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented with the use of proper safety restraints.

Things to remember when transporting children or using child safety/booster seats in a vehicle.

• All Children ages 12 and under should sit in the back seat properly restrained.

• The rear seat is the safest place for children.

• Never use pillows, books, or towels to boost the height of a child. They can slide around and increase the likelihood of injury.

• Make sure everyone is buckled up correctly. Infants and very young children should be in child safety seats. Young children should be correctly buckled using a booster seat.

• Read the instructions for the child safety or booster seat and your vehicle owner’s manual before installing them. If the vehicle has only lap belts in the back seat, consider having shoulder belts installed by a dealer or repair facility. Most vehicle manufacturers offer retrofit shoulder belt kits for this purpose.

• After installing a child safety or booster seat, don’t forget to test for a snug and secure fit. Properly fitting lap and shoulder belts reduce the risk for belt-induced injuries, which can occur when lap or lap/shoulder belts are a small child’s only restraint.

• Always fill out and mail the registration card that comes with the safety booster seat so notifications can be made in case of a recall.

REMEMBER EFFECIVE JANUARY 1, 2002, CALIFORNIA'S NEW BOOSTER LAW MANDATES CHILDREN TO BE SECURED IN A CHILD SAFETY OR BOOSTER SEAT UNTIL THEY ARE SIX YEARS OF AGE OR WEIGH 60 POUNDS.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Grace Brady, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.