County to hold child-passenger safety courses

The Butte County Public Health Department will use a new $101,700 grant to fund a program aimed at reducing child injuries and fatalities from automobile accidents. The funds will be used to hold free car-seat classes, fittings and community checkups overseen by certified child-passenger safety technicians. Butte County will also conduct 32-hour courses to train more of these technicians locally.

Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Statistics from 2010 indicate 40 percent of children killed in car crashes were not properly restrained with seatbelts or car seats.

Parents and caregivers can find inspections and fittings or register for classes at the Butte County Public Health website (go to www.buttecounty.net/publichealth to learn more) or by calling 895-6565.

The grant was provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety.