Tyndall Park in Benton will be filled with police officers, firefighters, and dogs and cats for Safety Saturday, a program of the Benton Police Departments #KidsFirst initiative. The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in front of the Gene Moss Building at Tyndall Park.
BNPD officers will have patrol cars, the Evidence Collection Vehicle, and other specialized police vehicles to show children at the event. Benton Animal Control Services will have the Adoption Trailer on site featuring several dogs and cats available for adoption, and the Benton Fire Department will have a fire engine in the parking lot for children to view with the firefighters.
In addition to the vehicles, the children will be handed stickers, coloring books, and other department items while supplies last. If you’ve ever wondered if a child’s car seat is installed properly or if your child is using the correct booster seat for their age and weight, then the Benton Police Department encourages you to join us at Safety Saturday.
Certified car seat technicians will be on hand to assure correct car seat installation, correct use of restraints and safety clips, and appropriateness of the seat currently in use. In Arkansas, children are required to ride in an appropriate child safety restraint until they are at least 6 years of age or 60 lbs. However, the safest practice is for children to remain in a belt-positioning booster seat until they are 8 years of age or 4’9” tall. Seat belts are designed to fit an average-sized adult, and booster seats help adapt seat belts to fit children’s smaller frames.
According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, from 2000-2007, 45 children ages 6-8 died in Arkansas as a result of motor vehicle crashes. And for every death there are an additional 19 hospitalizations and 300 injuries requiring medical attention (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Based on those numbers, from 2000-2007, an estimated 855 Arkansas children ages 6-8 were hospitalized and another 13,500 had injuries requiring medical attention (Arkansas Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Center).
Although vehicle crashes are not always preventable, the decision to use the correct safety seat can safe a child’s life and lessen injuries. The certified car seat technicians at Safety Saturday can answer questions and address concerns to ensure children are safely secured when traveling in a vehicle.
For more information on correct usage of car seats, safety recalls, and other related articles, visit the Safe Kids USA website at www.safekids.org.
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