NEWS RELEASE Contact: Christa Kermode, Admin./Records
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 540-338-7422 x2100
CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY WEEK IS SEPTEMBER 17-23
Purcellville Police Department Reminds Parents and Caregivers to Keep Kids Safe
PURCELLVILLE, VA. September 15, 2023 — Every year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) partners with local communities to hold Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from September 17-23 this year. Purcellville Police Department is proud to announce that there are two certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on staff, ready to assist parents and caregivers. Technicians will provide guidance on whether children are in the right seats for their ages and sizes, make sure car seats are installed correctly, and explain the importance of registering car seats with the manufacturer so you can be notified if there is a recall. Parents and guardians can request a check with a Purcellville Police Department Technician by clicking here, or visiting the Purcellville Police Department website at https://www.purcellvilleva.gov/FormCenter/PPD-Forms-9/Request-a-Car-Seat-Safety-Check-177.
According to NHTSA, more than a third of children 12 and younger who died in crashes in 2021 in cars, pickups, vans, and SUVs were unbuckled. The number one rule to remember: Never let your children ride unbuckled — not even on a short trip.
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children, and the latest research from NHTSA shows that 46% of car seats are misused. Common issues are: children being in the wrong type of car seat for their age and size, and car seats being improperly installed — both of which leave children vulnerable to injury in a crash. Sadly, two children under 13 were killed every day in 2021 while riding in vehicles, and another estimated 318 were injured.
You might think that a bigger vehicle offers better protection for your child, but this is not true. In 2021, more than a third (37%) of the children killed while riding in light pickup trucks were unrestrained, followed closely by SUVs (36%), passenger cars (36%), and vans (34%). Whatever type of vehicle you have, children are safest when correctly secured in the right car seats or booster seats for their ages and sizes. The size of your vehicle doesn’t change the fact that all kids need to be properly buckled in the right seat, every trip.
For more information, please visit the Kids & Parents Safety Information page on the Purcellville Police Department Webpage. https://www.purcellvilleva.gov/978/Car-Seat-Safety-and-VA-Laws
In addition, the NHTSA encourages everyone who drives child passengers to check out its free, online resources at www.nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat including:
• Car Seat Types: Determine whether your child fits best in a rear-facing car seat, forward-facing car seat, booster seat, or seat belt.
• Car Seat Recommendations: Review NHTSA’s recommendations for the best car seat for your child’s age and size.
For more information on child car seat safety, as well as how to find car seat check events, go to www.nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat.
The Town of Purcellville, Virginia
“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of approximately 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the 2021 Virginia Municipal League Innovation Award for Environmental Sustainability and in years past, the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for innovation and green initiatives. The Town most recently received the Tree City USA Award for the 14th consecutive year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and was ranked “Safest City” in Virginia in 2020. Once a stop along the W&OD rail line, which has been converted to a multi-use trail from Alexandria, VA to Purcellville, the Town has maintained its historic old-town feel through the restoration and maintenance of its many downtown structures, reflecting the Victorian architecture popular during the early 1900s. Today, Purcellville is the economic hub of western Loudoun County and a popular weekend destination for antiquing, equestrian activities, farmer’s markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. More info at www.purcellvilleva.gov.
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