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AAA and Evenflo^® Urge Parents to Learn the '3 Bs' 

New Educational Campaign Illustrates Why Children Age Four and Up Should Ride

Buckled-Up in the Back Seat in a Booster Seat

March 20, 2004

Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death and injury among children. Proper booster seat use reduces a child's injury risk by 59 percent compared to just using a seat belt, yet nearly two out of three children age four and up do not use one. This non-use occurs despite laws in 22 states and the District of Columbia that require booster seat use. Many more states have booster legislation pending.

"Education efforts have succeeded in getting infants and toddlers into car seats, but studies show proper restraint use plunges for children ages four to seven," said Bella Dinh-Zarr, PhD, AAA Director of Traffic Safety Policy. "The 'Put Big Kids in Boosters' campaign will educate parents about the importance of using booster seats and can help them get their children to stay safe in the car."

One side of the brochure offers parents simple solutions to the most critical child passenger safety issues. The other side folds out to reveal a colorful growth chart that can be posted to a door or wall. A fun alternative to carving notches in the bedroom door, this growth chart enables parents to create a keepsake document of the amazing surge in height their children will experience between the ages of two and eight. The chart also alerts parents to how they can best protect their young passengers as they age and grow.

"The 'Put Big Kids in Boosters' brochure addresses many of the most common mistakes that I see parents make while driving with their children," said Evenflo Safe Baby and Toddler Council member and brochure co-author Tanya Altmann, M.D., a leading pediatrician. "In less than five minutes, parents can size up their children to determine whether they are buckled-up in the safest way possible."

The brochure also includes helpful advice for selecting the best booster seat for your child. "It is important to look for a booster seat that is fully adjustable to grow with your child, both in height and lap depth," said Altmann.

The "Put Big Kids in Boosters" brochure and growth chart is available FREE to parents by logging on to www.evenflo.com or through many local AAA clubs. As part of the program, Evenflo will also conduct "Put Kids in Boosters" educational events in select Wal-Mart stores. The full event schedule is available on www.evenflo.com 

Source: Evenflo^®