DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- An average of six children are killed and nearly 800 are injured each day in traffic crashes.  In fact, motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children in the U.S. 

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That's why AAA Michigan, part of The Auto Club Group, partnered with the DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan for the second annual  free child safety seat inspection event today (Sept. 21) at the AAA Michigan Headquarters parking lot in Dearborn.

More than 50 certified child passenger safety technicians were on hand to inspect seats for proper installation, provide information to parents on how to select the right seats and ensure that currently installed seats have not been recalled. The free inspections were offered to any parents who brought their children – and their current safety seats – with their vehicles. Seats which did not pass inspection were prepared for recycling.

"We are pleased to host today's event to help to keep our young passengers safe in vehicles," said AAA Michigan President Steve Wagner. "Today is National Seat Check Saturday – that's why we chose this day to offer this valuable assistance to families and their young children. Today's program continues our nearly century of traffic safety service. "

Wagner noted that estimates indicate that the number of deaths and injuries of children improperly restrained in safety seats in vehicles could be reduced by half if every child passenger was properly restrained.

On behalf of AAA Michigan, at the event Wagner presented a $10,000 grant to Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation to support the Child Passenger Safety Program at DMC Children's Hospital of Michigan.

On hand to accept the check were Dr. Tonya Touchstone, Associate Vice President of Medical Affairs, Children's Hospital of Michigan, and Tony Werner, President and CEO, Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation.

"This grant will enhance our ongoing efforts to help keep children safer in vehicles," said Dr. Touchstone. "We appreciate working with partners like AAA Michigan." 

AAA Michigan's hallmark of traffic safety support includes starting the School Safety Patrol in 1919, a program which continues today. The Auto Club also sponsors programs for young children and supported legislation requiring young children to be buckled in appropriate child safety seats.

Founded in 2003, the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation supports the healthcare needs of children by raising philanthropic support for pediatric medical education, pediatric-focused research and prevention of childhood diseases and injuries. The Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation is recognized as a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization by the Internal Revenue Service and is governed by a 23-member board of directors.

SOURCE AAA Michigan

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