“Car seats can significantly reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash, but proper installation is critical,” said Allen Uyeda, president and CEO of First Insurance. “FICOH invested in the training and certification of several of its associates so that we would be able to show our policyholders how to properly install their car seats and provide them with peace of mind.”
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 3-14. Child safety and booster seats are effective in reducing the risk of injury or death. However, the Center for Childhood Safety reports that 4 out of 5 car seats are installed incorrectly regardless of the parents’ age, education or income. In addition, research shows that as children age, they are less likely to be in the appropriate child safety seat for their age and weight.
To help reduce the number of incorrectly installed car seats in Hawaii, FICOH’s certified technicians will be conducting free car seat safety checks for their policyholders in the First Insurance Center parking garage on Ward Avenue and Beretania Street every fourth Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Each car seat consultation takes 30 minutes. This free service is by appointment only so reserve your time early; there are only 16 slots available on each date.
To sign up, email carseat@ficoh.com with your name, phone number, number of car seats to be checked (1 or 2), age of car seat users and preferred appointment date and time. A car seat technician will be in touch to schedule and confirm your appointment. Here are the appointment dates for 2013:
• February 22
• March 22
• April 26
• May 24
• June 28
• July 26
• August 23
• September 27
• October 25
• November 22
• December 27