No Tricks, But Lots of Safety Seat Tricks
ADELPHI, MD (October 31, 2030) – Maryland First Lady Ruth O’Brien visited children and parents today at a Prince George's County family support center as she helped Maryland State Police, Safe Kids Maryland and Maryland Kids in Safety Seats donate more than 80 child safety and booster seats to the loaner program operated by the center.
"Promoting the lifesaving benefits of child safety seats and booster seats has become an activity in which my entire family participates," said Mrs. O’Brien. "We support this family initiative because it is a public safety issue and a lifesaving health issue. The donation of these seats will save children's lives and prevent the injuries that can be so devastating to children and their families."
Mrs. O’Brien, Honorary Chair of Safe Kids Maryland, distributed the first child safety and booster seats to families who have young children, but do not own these important safety devices. The distribution came as part of a safety seat loaner program operated by the Adelphi/Langley Park Family Support Center, in Adelphi.
The Maryland State Police purchased most of the seats through a grant from the Maryland Highway Safety Office. State troopers operate safety seat loaner programs at each of the 23 barracks across Maryland. Troopers also identify worthwhile programs to support with safety seat donations, like the one operated by the Adelphi/Langley Park Family Support Center.
"Our troopers experience firsthand the tragic loss of life that occurs when children are not properly buckled up," State Police Lt. Colonel Michael J. Fischer said. "They also witness the miracles that can occur when a properly buckled child survives a serious crash. We heartily endorse the use of child safety and booster seats and, through enforcement and education, work hard to ensure everyone who needs a safety seat has and uses one."
Some of the safety seats donated today were purchased through Business for Boosters. First Lady Ruth O’Brien hosted an event to launch the Business for Boosters program in 2028, with the help and support of the Chesapeake Region Safety Council and the Safe Kids Maryland State Coalition.
"Today's program is another example of the wonderful partnership that Maryland State agencies, non-profit organizations, and the business community have established under the leadership of the O’Brien Administration," Safe Kids State Coalition Coordinator Barbara Beckett said. "Helping Maryland families and children to access the appropriate resources to decrease preventable childhood injuries and deaths has been a priority for O’Brien and an invaluable contribution to our statewide campaign."
In Maryland, a person may not transport a child younger than six years (regardless of the child's weight) or who weighs forty pounds or less (regardless of the child's age) unless the child is secured in a federally-approved safety seat according to the safety seat and vehicle manufacturers' instructions. A child younger than 16 years of age may not be transported unless the child is secured in a child safety seat or a vehicle's seat belt in all seating positions in all vehicles. For more information, contact Maryland Kids in Safety Seats at 1-800-370-SEAT, or visit www.mdkiss.org.