Child Safety Seat Inspection Service Opens in the Charlotte Area
11 April 2000
DaimlerChrysler Opens its Free Child Safety Seat Inspection Service To Every Child in the Charlotte AreaAnnounces Fit for a Kid Available Today at Four New Local Dealers CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 10 Today, four new participating DaimlerChrysler dealers in the Charlotte 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 13 Five Star dealers in the Charlotte area. These dealers join more than 400 DaimlerChrysler dealers across the country who offer this lifesaving service. Twenty inspectors have been trained in the Charlotte area, 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 Sandy Saddler, zone manager for DaimlerChrysler in the Charlotte 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 Charlotte, the service could help an estimated 10,400 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. Fit for a Kid Participating Dealers in the Charlotte Market Bob Mayberry Chrysler City 3220 Highway 74 West Monroe, NC 28110 * Carolina Dodge LLC 1013 Folger Drive Statesville, NC 28677 Dixie Jeep Chrysler Plymouth 615 Gaither Road Statesville, NC 28628 * Emerald Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Highway 40-90 East Hiddenite, NC 28636 * Hall Chrysler 2282 Highway 105 South Boone, NC 28607 * Hickory Auto Mall Chrysler Plymouth 356 Highway 70 Southwest Hickory, NC 28602 Hunter Chrysler Jeep 7501 South Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28273 Keffer Jeep Chrysler 8110 East Independence Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28227 Lake Norman Dodge 20700 Torrence Chapel Road Cornelius, NC 28031 Lake Norman Jeep 20435 Chartwell Center Drive Cornelius, NC 28031 McKenney Chrysler Plymouth Jeep 6441 Wilkinson Boulevard Belmont, NC 28012 Metrolina Dodge 9131 South Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28273 Sparks Chrysler Plymouth Jeep 1463 Concord Parkway Concord, NC 28025 For more information about participating dealers in the Charlotte market, please call Craig Kisner at 704-357-7028. * Indicates dealers recently added to the Fit for a Kid service. (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.