75% of Car Seats Are Installed Improperly Nationwide – Jumping to Over 90% on Long Island, Safety Check Events Show
Woodbury, NY – September 17, 2018 – Hempstead-based human service agency EAC Network and auto insurance giant GEICO will collaborate once again for a series of child passenger safety check events hosted at GEICO’s Woodbury headquarters. Prior to the car seat inspections, GEICO will present EAC Network with a $20,000 grant in support of the organization’s Safe Start program.
With injuries from motor vehicles being a leading cause of death among children, Safe Start aims to improve the safety of occupants riding in motor vehicles by educating the community on passenger safety and working with parents and caregivers to promote effective and appropriate use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.
“Thanks to GEICO’s generosity, we will be able to expand program services to families across Long Island to ensure our children travel safely,” said Rachel Lugo, EAC Network’s Division Director of Family & Vocational Services. “National statistics show that three out of four car seats are improperly installed – that’s 75% – despite the concerted efforts of parents or caregivers. However, at our car seat events in Nassau and Suffolk County, we typically see upwards of 90% of car seats improperly installed.”
Of the car seat sessions to be held at GEICO, the public is invited to make an appointment for inspections on Saturday, September 29 by calling (631) 648-7100 x219. Other dates will be specifically hosted for GEICO employees. Car seats will be inspected by EAC Network and State Trooper certified technicians. It is expected that the majority of inspected car seats will be improperly installed.
“GEICO has enthusiastically partnered with EAC Network for the third year in a row to offer child safety seat checks for local Long Island families,” said Renee Rogers, GEICO’s Region 2 – TA1 Supervisor. “Safety is a priority for us at GEICO and these events allow us to bring awareness to families with car seats as well as the proper installation of them.”
To learn more about car seat safety or to attend an upcoming child safety seat inspection event, visit www.eac-network.org/safe-start or call Safe Start at (516) 292-7362 (Nassau County) or (631) 648-7100 (Suffolk County).
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About EAC Network
EAC Network is a diverse not-for-profit human service agency that empowers, assists, and cares for over 82,000 children, families, and seniors in crisis across Long Island and New York City. Among those we help are children who have been abused or who are in foster care, people struggling with addiction or mental illness, vulnerable seniors, individuals seeking gainful employment, and more. For more information, visit us at www.eac-network.org, call (516) 539-0150, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @EACNet.
About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in 1936, provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 14 million private passenger customers, insuring more than 23 million vehicles (auto & cycle). For more information, go to www.geico.com.
Contact
Rachel Lugo │ Division Director of Family & Vocational Services │ (631) 648-7100 x227 │ rachel.lugo@eac-network.org
