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“Buckle Up Kids” Seeks to Keep Children Safe

 February 12, 2010

“Buckle Up Kids” Seeks to Keep Children Safe

Cheyenne, WY –Safe Kids Laramie County has launched a new program called "Buckle Up Kids" to ensure children are properly restrained in car and booster seats when they are riding in a vehicle.

“According to data we’ve collected through our safety seat inspection stations, the car seat misuse rate in the city and county is about 92%,” said Stephanie Heitsch, injury prevention coordinator at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and Safe Kids Wyoming coordinator.

“That includes parents and caregivers who have installed safety and booster seats but are using them improperly as well as those who simply ignore the law and are putting their children at risk,” said Heitsch.

 Buckle Up Kids tackles the problem of noncompliance in three ways:

  • Community members are asked to notify law enforcement if they see young children who are not secured in a car or booster seat while riding in a vehicle. A report can be made to the Laramie County Sheriff’s Department and should include the location, time of day and the license plate number of the vehicle.
  • The Sheriff’s office will follow up with a letter to the registered owner of the vehicle, outlining the details of the incident and reminding the owner of Wyoming Restraint Law and where to go for help in obtaining a car or booster seat and properly installing it. Wyoming law requires that all children under age nine be properly restrained in the back seat and in a child safety seat appropriate to their height, weight and age.
  • Safe Kids Laramie County provides free car and booster seat inspections. An appointment can be made by calling 307-633-7527. Safe Kids Laramie County also offers assistance to county residents who can’t afford a child safety seat.

"Buckle Up Kids" is sponsored by Safe Kids Wyoming, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Department, Wyoming Department of Health, Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Programs and Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

For more information about "Buckle Up Kids," call Safe Kids Laramie County at 307-633-7527 or the Laramie County Sheriff’s Department at 307-633-4751.