DaimlerChrysler Opens Its Child Safety Seat Inspection To Columbus
31 March 2000
DaimlerChrysler Opens Its Free Child Safety Seat Inspection Service To Every Child in the Columbus Area Announces Fit for a Kid Available Today at Four Local Dealers
COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 30 Today, participating
DaimlerChrysler dealers in the Columbus area officially opened the doors of
its free, permanent child safety seat inspection service-Fit for a Kid-to all
families, no matter what make or model vehicle they drive.
Whether you drive a Ford, Honda, Toyota, Dodge, or any other vehicle,
participating Fit for a Kid dealers will inspect your child safety seat at no
charge. Vehicle crashes are the leading killer of kids and studies show more
than 80 percent of children in safety seats are not correctly buckled in.
"With Fit for a Kid, DaimlerChrysler is taking its commitment to safety to
new heights," said Jim Holden, president of DaimlerChrysler. "Fit for a Kid
offers a simple, understandable solution to a serious problem with an
unmatched, personalized safety service."
Working with Fisher-Price and the National Safety Council, DaimlerChrysler
is the only automaker that provides free child safety seat inspections at
permanent locations throughout the United States with Fit for a Kid. The
service is now open at four Five Star dealers in the Columbus area. These
dealers join more than 400 DaimlerChrysler dealers across the country who
offer this lifesaving service. Seven inspectors have been trained in
Columbus, with a total of 765 nationwide.
"Our dealers are excited about offering Fit for a Kid as a public safety
service to our entire community," said Harold Hurst, zone manager for
DaimlerChrysler in the Columbus area.
Fit for a Kid will be available nationally in 1,000 Five Star(1)
dealerships by the end of the year-creating the capacity to inspect an
estimated 800,000 child safety seats a year. In Columbus, the service could
help an estimated 3,200 children a year.
In January 1999, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called on
automakers and others to create a national system of permanent child safety
seat fitting stations. DaimlerChrysler is the only company to meet that
challenge.
"By making its Fit for a Kid child safety seat fitting stations available
to every family in America, DaimlerChrysler will save countless children from
needless injury and death," said Jim Hall, NTSB chairman. "I commend
DaimlerChrysler and its dealers for their significant commitment to safety. I
urge every parent and caregiver to take advantage of DaimlerChrysler's program
and have their children's safety seats inspected at the earliest opportunity."
To illustrate the problem and the need, DaimlerChrysler recently released
the results of a national survey of 600 drivers who regularly transport small
children. The survey found that 96 percent of respondents felt very or
somewhat comfortable that they always install and use their child seats
correctly. In contrast, actual safety seat inspections show that only 20
percent of children in safety seats are, in fact, properly buckled in. The
survey found that 40 percent of adults did not know about the misuse problem,
and more than 70 percent said they were likely to use the Fit for a Kid
service.
According to DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President Sue Cischke, "Fit for a
Kid is designed to be a convenient, personalized service for today's busy
parents." She said appointments can be scheduled by calling toll free
1-877-FIT-4-A-KID or clicking on http://www.fitforakid.org to find a nearby dealer
and then calling a dealer directly. Each inspection takes 20-30 minutes.
According to Hall, "This could be the most important 20 minutes of your
child's life."
Fisher-Price and the National Safety Council work with DaimlerChrysler on
this child safety commitment. Fisher-Price provides child passenger safety
expertise and loaner seats. The company also is offering discounts on Safe
Embrace Convertible Car Seats and Booster Car Seats to caregivers who discover
during the inspection that their current seat is not safe.
The National Safety Council coordinates the inspector training and record
keeping. Each inspector undergoes an intensive 32-hour course using the
current Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program, developed by the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Once inspectors complete the
course, they are certified through American Automobile Association.
To increase awareness of the problem and to encourage seat inspections,
DaimlerChrysler recently announced a promotional partnership with Arthur, the
star of a best selling book series and the number one children's television
program on PBS.
Fit for a Kid is one of several DaimlerChrysler safety initiatives. Other
safety programs include The Back is Where It's At, Stop Red Light Running, Do
the Buckle, and The Neon Drunk Driver Simulator. DaimlerChrysler also is a
partner in the Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign.
(1) Five Star dealers are certified through DaimlerChrysler's trademarked
process for ensuring customer service excellence. Hallmarks of the program
include a commitment to properly trained and satisfied employees, customer-
focused sales, service and parts processes, comprehensive customer follow-up,
and clean, well-organized facilities.
Fit for a Kid
Participating Dealers in the Columbus Market
Bob Caldwell Chrysler Plymouth
1888 Morse Road
Columbus, OH 43229
Byers Chrysler Plymouth
390 East Broad
Columbus, OH 43216
Byers Dublin Dodge
6851 Village Parkway
Dublin, OH 43017
Nelson Auto Group
15777 Watkins Road
Marysville, OH 43040
For more information about participating dealers in the Columbus
market, please call Greg Pritts at 513-530-1535.
