CHILD SAFETY SEATS TO BE CRUSHED BY TANK

National Guard Rolls in to Help “Wage War” for Child Safety

February 27, 2002 – Over 600 defective or recalled child safety seats will see their demise when a 63 ton A1-M1 Abrams Tank on loan from the Nevada National Guard rolls over and demolishes them during REMSA’s Child Safety Seat Crush, Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 11:00 a.m.

The event, to be held at the Lockwood Landfill, marks the kickoff of the fifth year of REMSA’s Point of Impact child safety seat inspection and replacement program. The crush event is being held in recognition of National Child Passenger Safety Month, February.

Since its’ founding in February 1998, REMSA’s Point of Impact program has inspected 4,230 child safety seats and found only 143 to be correctly installed. The program has replaced or distributed 1,163 seats found to be defective or on manufacturers’ recall lists. During checkpoint inspections, REMSA collects seats that are more than six years old, have obvious defects, are on manufacturers’ recall lists or have been involved in a crash.

“Kids have to rely on adults to protect them from danger,” said Eric Guevin, community education coordinator for REMSA. “The crush events virtually guarantees these defective or recalled seats are never used again.”

Parents are discouraged from purchasing used child safety seats and are advised to check existing seats thoroughly for evidence of cracking, twisting or worn harness webbing. Additionally, REMSA paramedics, emergency medical technicians and certified volunteer inspectors will examine child safety seats at several upcoming Point of Impact checkpoints scheduled as follows:

Saturday, March 9
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Smith’s Food & Drug Center
3600 South Virginia, Reno

Saturday, March 30
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Kietzke Lane, Reno

Saturday, April 13
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Nevada Hispanic Services
3905 Neil Road, Reno

REMSA is a private, non-profit organization providing the region with advanced life support paramedic ambulance services, the Care Flight emergency medical helicopter program and internationally accredited emergency medical dispatch services. REMSA and Care Flight provide guaranteed response times and high quality patient care with no taxpayer support or other subsidies.

REMSA’S POINT OF IMPACT CHILD SAFETY SEAT PROGRAM
CRUSH EVENT FAST FACTS

What is the Point of Impact Program?
Now in its fifth year, the REMSA Point of Impact child safety seat inspection and replacement program has conducted checkpoints providing drivers an opportunity to have child safety seats inspected for correct installation and usage. Child safety seats found to be unsafe, defective or on a manufacturer’s recall list will be removed, destroyed and replaced free of charge to qualifying families. New child safety seats are properly installed to protect the young children who rely on them.

What is the National SAFE KIDS Campaign?
The National SAFE KIDS Campaign is the first and only national organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury — the number one killer of children ages 14 and under. Presently, 300 state and local SAFE KIDS coalitions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico comprise the Campaign. Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D., Sc.D., is chairman of the Campaign. To find out more about the National SAFE KIDS Campaign call 202-662-0600 or visit the campaign’s Web site at www.safekids.org

REMSA is the lead organization of the SAFE KIDS Washoe County coalition. SAFE KIDS Washoe County coalition, brings together many agencies to highlight child safety issues throughout the region. To find out more about the coalition, contact director of SAFE KIDS Washoe County, Eric Guevin, at 775-858-KIDS.

How often are Point of Impact checkpoints held?
Point of Impact child and safety seat inspection and replacement checkpoints are held monthly, and sometimes more often at various venues in Reno and Sparks. To find out when and where checkpoints are scheduled for 2002, either contact REMSA at 858-KIDS.

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720