As part of observances of National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week (February 13-19, 2007), the Virgin Islands Office of Highway St. Croix will be conducting child safety seat clinics throughout the territory.

“Our community is doing a much better job about putting our infants and toddlers in safety seats,” says Barbara McIntosh, Director of the Office of Highway Safety. “Now we need to raise the awareness that children ages four to eight and less than 4’9” in height need to be protected too.” McIntosh says these children should be seated in booster seats.

Studies show that children who are moved to adult safety belts too early face the unnecessary risk of being injured or killed in crashes simply because they are in the wrong restraint for their size. A booster seat would raise the child up so that adult safety belts would fit over their chests and hips properly – thereby protecting them in the event of a crash.

During the month of February, clinics offered by the Office of Highway Safety will check child safety seats for proper installation. Clinics will be held on February 12, 2007 at the Tutu Park Mall on St. Thomas, February 14 at the Inspection Lane on Cruz Bay, St. John and on February 23rd at the Western Auto Parking Lot on St. Croix. All clinics will be held between the hours of 11:00 to 2:00 p.m.

For more information about the proper use of child and booster seats or about the Child Safety Seat Clinics, contact the Office of Highway Safety at (340)778-2244 extension 4706.