BCAA and United Way join forces with new program to put up to 1,000 kids in child car seats

BURNABY, BC, April 17, 2013 /CNW/ - Car crashes are one of the leading causes of accidental death among children in B.C. An average of 1,300 children under the age of nine are seriously injured and three are killed each year in motor vehicle crashes. To help keep kids safe on B.C. roads, BCAA announces its Community Child Car Seat Program, in partnership with United Way of the Lower Mainland. The program will provide child car seats to non-profit agencies and community groups and put up to 1,000 kids in child car seats this year and each year for the length of the program.

A correctly used child car or booster seat is the most effective tool in reducing the risk of injury or death in a motor vehicle crash yet it's estimated that as many as five per cent of British Columbians aren't using a child car seat when transporting children.

"Providing child car seats is a way of ensuring families and other caregivers are able to transport their kids safely and will help children survive a crash that otherwise may have caused serious injury or worse," says Tim Condon, BCAA President and CEO. "Our aim is to donate at least one child car seat on behalf of each BCAA employee."

In its effort to create safer roads in B.C., the organization is contributing $100 thousand to the Community Child Car Seat Program purchasing as many as 1,000 child car seats each year for the next five years. BCAA will work with United Way of the Lower Mainland to distribute child car seats to eligible non-profit agencies and community programs throughout the province to use within their existing programs or to provide to families in their communities with children under the age of nine.

"United Way is dedicated to creating caring, supportive and inclusive communities. We invest in services that help nurture children and strengthen families. This initiative supports families who need a little extra help," says Michael McKnight, President and CEO of United Way of the Lower Mainland.

Non-profit agencies and community programs that work with families with children under the age of nine are invited to participate in the Program by applying through United Way of the Lower Mainland. Applications are being accepted until May 14, 2013 and car seats will be distributed to eligible organizations in September 2013. Visit uwlm.ca/community-child-car-seat-program to apply.

To ensure the safety of child passengers, BCAA offers parents, guardians and caregivers the following advice when transporting children in cars:

• Put children in the back seat.
• Use the proper child car seat for the child's weight and height.
• Ensure the child car or booster is installed and used correctly in the vehicle. Not attaching the seat correctly in the vehicle, having the seatbelt too loose, or putting the harness in the wrong position can lessen the effectiveness of the car seat.

For more information on child passenger safety or to find a link to apply to the Community Child Car Seat Program visit BCAARoadSafety.com.

About BCAA
BCAA is one of the most trusted organizations in British Columbia, serving one-in-four B.C. households. With over 800,000 Members, BCAA provides an array of award-winning home, auto and travel insurance products and services, and roadside assistance. BCAA has also received the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates award for "Highest Customer Satisfaction among Home Insurance Providers in Western Canada". Now in its 107^th year, BCAA has over $400 million in annual sales, 27 locations and over 800 employees. To learn more about the benefits of BCAA Membership, visit bcaa.com. For more information on the BCAA Road Safety Foundation visit BCAARoadSafety.com.

About United Way of the Lower Mainland
United Way is a charitable organization established over 80 years ago to support those in need in Metro Vancouver. United Way of the Lower Mainland is dedicated to creating healthy, caring and inclusive communities by breaking the cycle of poverty, helping school-age children make the right life choices, and supporting seniors to age with dignity. UWLM funds 160 agencies throughout the Lower Mainland to deliver more than 500 programs. Learn more at www.uwlm.ca.

SOURCE: British Columbia Automobile Association

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