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Whereas, Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children of every age, from 1 to 14 years old; and
Whereas, properly installed child safety seats are 71% effective for reducing fatalities in infants. 54% effective for reducing fatalities in toddlers and reduce the need for hospitalization by 69%; and
Whereas, according to the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code, all children from birth to age four must be secured in an approved child safety seat anywhere in the vehicle, and all children from age four to age eight must be secured in a seat belt system and an approved booster seat anywhere in the vehicle, and all children from age eight to age eighteen must be secured in a seat belt system anywhere in the vehicle; and
Whereas, with so many different combinations of child safety seat belt systems and vehicles on the road today, it is very difficult to properly install child safety seats and child safety seat inspections show that 94% of children riding in child safety seats are improperly restrained; and
Whereas, parents should have their child safety seats inspected by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. The Team Educators for Child Safety (TECHS) is comprised of many agencies within Allegheny County and was established to reduce childhood injury and death from motor vehicle crashed through education, research and child safety inspections; and
Whereas, the City of Pittsburgh Emergency Medical Services is sponsoring a Pre-Valentine's Day Child Safety Seat Inspection on Thursday, February 9th to promote the 2006 Pennsylvania State Wide Theme "Buckle Up for Life" during National Child Passenger Safety Week; and
Whereas, the following agencies are also supporting this and additional Child Safety Seat Inspections during 2006: the City of Pittsburgh Police, AAA East Central, Allegheny County District Attorney, Allegheny County Health Department, Allegheny County Police, Allegheny County Safe Kids Coalition, Baldwin Borough Police, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Dormont Police, Duquesne University Police, Guardian Angel EMS, Magee-Women's Hospital, McCandles/Franklin Park Ambulance Authority, Medical Rescue Team South, Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Moon Township Police, Mount Lebanon Police & Fire, North Versailles Police, Oakmont Police, Ohio Township Police, Pennsylvania American Academy of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania SIDS Alliance, Richland EMSA, UPMC Health System and Pre-Hospital Care, West Deer EMS & Police, West Penn/Allegheny Health System and Woodland Hills EMS.
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh recognize Child Safety Week and call upon all the residents to support the efforts and activities of the Team Educators for Child Safety (TECHS) to prevent childhood injury and death due to motor vehicle crashes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that February 12-18, 2006 be hereby declared "Child Passenger Safety Week" in the City of Pittsburgh.