SAFE KIDS Survey Reveals Kids in Child Care May Not Be Transported Safely

             SAFE KIDS Launches National Program to Educate Child
                   Care Providers on Child Passenger Safety

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- In a recent National SAFE KIDS Campaign
survey, nearly half of parents reported that kids transported in child care
are inappropriately restrained for their age and size.  In addition, the
survey revealed that nearly half of children are transported once a week or
more, and one-third are transported daily by their provider.  That's why SAFE
KIDS is launching a nationwide child passenger safety initiative geared toward
child care providers in recognition of Child Passenger Safety Week.
    "The National SAFE KIDS Campaign and other advocates have done a wonderful
job of educating parents on how to transport children safely in motor
vehicles," said Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge, administrator, National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration.  "This new program will help ensure that children
receive the same attention when they are transported while in someone else's
care."
    The SAFE KIDS report, Transportation in Child Care Settings: Parent
Knowledge and State Regulations, analyzed parents' knowledge and experiences
regarding children in child care, specifically as they relate to
transportation practices.  SAFE KIDS surveyed hundreds of parents of children
ages 14 and under who were currently receiving child care and transported by
their providers.  The report also analyzed state child care transportation
regulations.

    Key findings:

        -- 49 percent of parents reported that their children were transported
           by caregivers once a week or more.

        -- 60 percent of children were reported to be cared for in home
           settings versus 38 percent in program/center settings.

        -- 60 percent of children cared for in the home were reported to be
           cared for by their grandparents.

        -- 46 percent of children from birth to age eight who should have been
           in child safety seats were reported to be transported in lap belts
           and shoulder belts.

    "Even most state regulations do not assist parents or child care providers
in getting it right.  They often fail to offer proper guidance because they
are inconsistent in scope and coverage," said Heather Paul, Ph.D., executive
director of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.  "If children cannot be
transported safely in their child care environment, then they should not be
transported at all."
    To address this need, SAFE KIDS announced the launch of a nationwide
program to train child care providers on child passenger safety.  In 96
communities, SAFE KIDS coalitions are teaching the "Moving Kids Safely in
Child Care" curriculum.  This training tool was developed by the American
Academy of Pediatrics and Healthy Child Care America, the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Health Resources and Services
Administration/ Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
    In recognition of Child Passenger Safety Week (February 9-15), SAFE KIDS
coalitions will host over 200 child safety seat check up events, reaching an
estimated 10,000 children across the country.  Technicians will check child
safety seats free of charge for age- and size-appropriateness, proper
installation and use, and whether seats have been recalled or visibly damaged.
    SAFE KIDS BUCKLE UP, with support from the UAW-GM Center for Human
Resources (CHR) and General Motors, has already committed nearly a half
million dollars to this comprehensive CPS Week initiative.  SAFE KIDS will
continue this effort with nationwide community-based educational workshops for
child care providers, free child safety seat checkups and free educational
materials.  In addition, SAFE KIDS will continue to provide child safety seat
resources to lower income families to help ensure their safe transportation.
    Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury-
related death among children ages 14 and under.
    The entire SAFE KIDS report, Transportation in Child Care Settings: Parent
Knowledge and State Regulations, can be found at http://www.safekids.org .
For more information on SAFE KIDS BUCKLE UP, visit the Web site or call the
toll-free hotline at (800) 441-1888 to find a child safety seat checkup near
you.

    The National SAFE KIDS Campaign is the first and only national nonprofit
organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood
injury -- the number one killer of children ages 14 and under.  More than 300
state and local SAFE KIDS coalitions in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia and Puerto Rico comprise the Campaign.  The UAW-GM Center for Human
Resources (CHR) -- a joint institution of the UAW and GM -- and the General
Motors Corporation are the SAFE KIDS BUCKLE UP program sponsors.