WELLFLEET – The Wellfleet and Eastham police departments have each received a $ 2,000 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division to expand its child passenger safety efforts.
Wellfleet and Eastham are two of 55 communities in the Commonwealth to be awarded Child Passenger Safety Equipment grants totaling $132,000, which were given to non-profits and municipal departments to reduce motor vehicle fatalities and injuries involving children.
The grants will be used primarily to purchase child safety seats for free distribution to parents and caregivers in need.
Nationwide, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages three to 14. Properly installed child safety seats have been proven to reduce the risk of death and injury in crashes. It is estimated that 75% of child passenger safety equipment is installed incorrectly.
“Unfortunately, many families and caregivers in our community find themselves financially strapped. With this grant, the Wellfleet Police Department can better serve those residents who find it difficult to afford child safety and booster seats to protect their children from death or injury in a motor vehicle crash,” said Wellfleet Ptl. Kevin LaRocco. “We can also assist residents with the proper installation of child safety seats and booster seats through our Check-Up and/or Fitting Station program. The next Check-Up or Fitting Station will take place in the near future and we will be advertising the specific details, once they are known.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently updated its motor vehicle safety recommendations, advising that children are best protected by using rear facing safety seats up to the specific age and weight limits of the safety seat. Massachusetts state law also requires the use of booster seats until a child is 57 inches tall or eight years of age.
For more information on how to obtain or properly install child passenger restraints call Ptl. Kevin LaRocco, Wellfleet Police Department at (508) 349 – 3702 or the Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Hotline at 1-877-392-5956or go to www.mass.gov/childsafetyseats.
