Chattanooga Auto Square’s INFINITI dealership is partnering with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Safe Journey Program and Read 20 to host a free car seat and booster seat safety check, as well read alouds and book distribution this Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., just in time for back-to-school.
On this day, parents and guardians can stop by INFINITI Chattanooga, 7646 Lee Hwy., where an HCSO certified car seat technician will inspect the placement and installation of their child’s car seat and/or booster seat.
INFINITI Chattanooga General Manager Nick Pistone said, “This is the second year we’ve partnered with the Sheriff’s Office for car seat inspections. We know the importance of making sure children arrive safely and soundly to school.
While we are checking the safety of car seats, we look forward to introducing parents to some of the great cars INFINITI has to offer to protect the entire family.”
The Read 20 Readmobile will also be on site during this time to provide activities for children including read alouds, with books distributed for children to enjoy. Read 20 will also provide easels for finger painting to enjoy while their parents visit with professionals from INFINITI.
Shawn Kurrelmeier-Lee, chief reading officer for Read 20 states, “According to research, the number of children’s books in the home directly relates to a child’s reading proficiency, which is a very good reason to make sure children have access to books. At age six, children who have been read to have an average vocabulary of 20,000 words, yet children who have not been read to have a vocabulary of 3,000 words. The language we speak with our children matters and reading is the best way to ensure children acquire the vocabulary they need to be successful in school.”
Mr. Pistone added, “This year we’re thrilled to have the involvement of Read 20. Their program does so much to encourage life-long reading and we can’t think of a better thing to do than to offer a book to a child coming to the dealership with his or her parents. At INFINITI, we’re not only committed to the customer experience, but also to the community experience. We believe that experience starts with children who are excited to read.”
According to the HCSO, motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of unintentional injury and death to children under the age of 14. Child restraints and car seats reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers. Booster seats reduce the risk of injury by 59 percent compared to seat belts alone.
The HCSO Safe Journey Program addresses occupant protection and the correct use of child passenger safety devices through public and professional education and awareness. The staff of Safe Journey conducts weekly car seat checkpoints in Hamilton County and surrounding areas.
This free, educational event is open to the public.