Burlington Police Department Receives Child Passenger Safety Equipment Grant

For Immediate Release

Monday, Nov. 24, 2014

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-791-7627

Burlington Police Department Receives Child Passenger Safety Equipment Grant

Funds Will Make Child Safety Seats Available to Area Residents in Need

BURLINGTON — Police Chief Michael R. Kent is pleased to announce that the Burlington Police Department has received a $2,000 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division (EOPSS-HSD) to expand its child passenger safety efforts.

The grant will be used primarily to purchase child safety seats for free distribution to parents and caregivers in need. Nationwide, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages three to 14. Properly installed child safety seats have been proven to reduce the risk of death and injury in crashes.  It is estimated that 75 percent of child passenger safety equipment is installed incorrectly.

“Public safety is our primary mission as an organization,” Chief Kent said. “These grants allow the Burlington Police Department to keep young children safe in motor vehicles, and we are very proud to dedicate our efforts to this cause.”

Burlington is one of 55 communities in the Commonwealth to be awarded Child Passenger Safety Equipment grants totaling $132,000, which were given to non-profits and municipal departments to reduce motor vehicle fatalities and injuries involving children.

“The acquisition of these seats will allow the Burlington Police Department to immediately assist families that require a car seat for their child,” said Burlington Police Sergeant Gerard McDonough, who oversees the safety seat program in town. “We can assist residents with proper installation or even replace a defective, expired, or recalled car seat.”

If you are interested in scheduling an installation appointment, please call 781-270-1940.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently updated its motor vehicle safety recommendations, advising that children are best protected by using rear facing safety seats up to the specific age and weight limits of the safety seat. Massachusetts state law also requires the use of booster seats until a child is 57 inches tall or eight years of age.  

For more information on how to obtain or properly install child passenger restraints call the Burlington Police Department at 781-270-1940 or the Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Hotline at 1-877-392-5956 or go to www.mass.gov/childsafetyseats.

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