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Funded by The Medical Center Foundation's Healthy Journey Campaign

Welcome to Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County

The Problem: Accidental Childhood Injury

Accidental injury is the number one cause of death among children ages 14 and under in the United States. Also, each year one out of every four children needs medical attention for an accidental injury.

The Solution: Safe Kids

Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County is one of more than 450 grassroots coalitions in 17 countries that bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families. Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. We know our efforts are needed because as many as 90 percent of accidental injuries can be prevented.

Helmet Safety Campaign - January 21 - New Holland Elementary


About Us

Created in 1992, Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County is one of 22 coalitions in Georgia - more


Programs

Child Passenger Safety, Fire Safety, Sports Safety, 911 Education - more

Safety Information

Georgia Child Safety Laws, fact sheets and safety tips for common childhood injuries - more

Community Partners

Our Community Partners provide the manpower and the brainpower for our coalition - more

Georgia's Child Passenger Safety Law (Code 40-8-76)

What You Need To Know

  • All children under the age of six (6) must be properly restrained in a federally approved child restraint appropriate for their height and weight.
     

  • All children under the age of six (6) must ride in a rear seating position of the vehicle.
     

  • Children ages six through seventeen (6-17) must be properly restrained by a safety belt in all seating positions.
     

  • Children riding in licensed child care vans (15 passenger vans) must be restrained according to Georgia law.
     

  • Child restraints must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Free Child Safety Seat Check
at the Gainesville Police Department

Every Tuesday from 9:00 - 11:00 and Friday from 3:00 - 5:00, the Gainesville Police Department (118 Jesse Jewell Parkway, next to CVS) sponsors a FREE child safety seat fitting station.  No appointments are necessary.  Certified
child passenger safety technicians will check the installation of your child
safety seat and provide assistance if needed. 

Please note - child safety seats are
NOT distributed at this location.

 

Safe Kids Event Schedule


Need Your Car Seat Checked?

To locate a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician in your area, click here.

NEW Booster Seat Controversy

12.22.09 This morning on most major news networks, the media discussed a new report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety stating they had tested 60 different makes and models of booster seats and deemed that only 15 of the 60 seats got top ratings. The institute crash-tested and measured 60 booster seats using a specially designed dummy the size of an average 6 year-old. Parents are more confused than ever!

ABC News Report

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/ConsumerNews/childs-car-booster-seat-safe/story?id=9396307

NBC News Report

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/34521238#34521238

Proper placement of the vehicle lap/shoulder belt is the KEY factor in preventing injury during a crash. Children come in all shapes and sizes, all booster seats do not fit all children or all vehicles.

Parents should continue to use their children's booster seats as long as the lap belt is positioned across the lower hips and upper thighs and the shoulder belt comes across the child's shoulder. If the lap/shoulder belt is not being positioned correctly, parents should replace the booster seat with one that provides a better fit. Parents should take their children with them to purchase the new booster seat and use a display model as a guide for proper fit. Convertible seats are now available with upper height and weight limits that might accommodate their child and will provide the child with better protection due to the 5-point harness. Children should not be transitioned to the vehicle seat unless they are at least 4 foot 9 inches tall and the lap/shoulder is positioned correctly.

Below Is A Statement From Safe Kids Worldwide:

Confused about using a booster seat? Don’t be!

Real children are not like crash test dummies, so every seat can fit differently. Booster kids come in all shapes and sizes, so take your child to pick out the booster that fits him or her best.

Don’t panic if your booster seat shows up on a “not recommended” list. The seat that does not fit the crash dummy may fit your child perfectly and all boosters on the market meet federal crash test standards.

The most important factor is how a booster fits your child:

Does the shoulder belt rest on the shoulder bone? You may have to raise the booster seat’s head rest to adjust the fit for your child.

Does the lap belt lay across the upper legs or thighs? Be sure the lap belt is under both armrests.

If both lap and shoulder belt fit as directed, you have a “recommended” seat because it is a good fit for your child.

The numbers tell the truth: booster seats save lives.

The latest research from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia shows that children who use a belt positioning booster seat in a back seat are 45 percent less likely to be injured in a crash than those who use just a seat belt.

Most kids under 4 feet 9 inches, who weigh between 80 and 100 pounds (usually between 8 and 12 year old) are likely to need a booster seat to get a good fit of the adult seat belt. Don’t guess. Use your correctly fitted booster seat to keep your child safe in the vehicle.

FREE Child Safety Seat Class at Northeast Georgia Medical Center

Every first Wednesday of the month, Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County sponsors a FREE child safety seat class at the Essentially for Women Building (825 Jesse Jewell Parkway) from 7:00 - 9:00.  (No classes in January or July).  Registration is required by calling Women's and Children's Services at (770) 219-1916. 
Please note - child safety seats are NOT distributed at this class.


 

Safe Kids Program
Request Form
- Click Here
 

 
All rights reserved Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County © Copyright 2005 and beyond.
Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County Square Phone: 770-219-8095 Square Fax: 770-219-8124Square E-mail:kimberly.martin@nghs.com