HCEC helps parents prepare for holiday travel

January 11, 2016

Harris County Emergency Corps (HCEC) and Texas Children’s Hospital are working to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries to children by providing free car seat checkups every month.

The two organizations teamed up on December 17, 2015 to check car seats at the Walmart located at 9235 North Sam Houston Parkway E, in Humble. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians  gave hands-on instruction to parents on how to choose the right car seat for their child’s age and size. They also gave out free car seats to children in need.
“Proper use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts will help reduce the number of deaths and injuries occurring on our roads,” said Jeremy Hyde, HCEC President and CEO.

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety reports that 640 children under the age of 13 died while in a motor vehicle traffic crash in 2013, and approximately 35% of those children were unrestrained. Tweens are at risk, too: During the past five years, more than 1,500 youngsters between the ages of 8 and 14 have died in car, SUV and van crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.