TXDoT Launches ?Buckle Them Right? Campaign During Child Passenger Safety Week -- Sept. 19-25

Austin (PRWEB) September 20, 2010

According to figures from the National Center for Health Statistics, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children 3 to 14 years old. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that roughly 3 out of 4 child safety seats are not used correctly.

Correctly installed child safety seats and booster seats save lives ? offering the best protection for children in the event of a crash. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), along with SafeKids, will be offering free safety seat check-ups throughout Texas during Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 19-25.

?Child restraint seats can be complicated to install and use correctly and we want to make sure Texas families are buckling their children up right,? said Carol T. Rawson, P.E., Traffic Operation Director for the Texas Department of Transportation. ?We want to encourage adults to read the child safety seat instructions, in addition to the vehicle manual on installation, in order to protect our smallest Texans.?????

On Saturday, Sept. 25, TxDOT and SafeKids certified technicians will offer hands-on child safety seat inspections at locations across the state for free to help Texas families learn to secure their children in the appropriate child safety seat, booster seats and seat belts. More information on how to properly secure children and where to find a child safety seat check point is available at http://www.bucklethemright.org.

A 2009 study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) in 14 cities across the state found that 13.6 percent of observed children were riding unrestrained. The same study found that almost one third of children observed in child safety seats were restrained in an unsafe manner.

The Texas Child Restraint Law was changed in 2009, requiring all children younger than 8 years old, unless taller than 4 feet 9 inches, to be in child restraint seats or booster seats in the car. After June 2010, fines of up to $ 25 for a first offense and $ 250 for a second offense may be issued.

Visit http://www.bucklethemright.org to learn more about the 4 Steps for Kids guidelines for determining which restraint system is best suited to protect children based on their age and size and where to find a child safety seat check point. The website also features video demonstrations on installing child safety seats and crash test simulations, where parents and caregivers can see firsthand the effects of improper child restraint. For more information, you can visit the NHTSA site at http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS or SafeRiders at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/saferiders/default.shtm.

The Texas Department of Transportation

The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining nearly 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its approximately 12,000 employees strive to empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and preserving the value of the state's transportation assets. Find out more at http://www.txdot.gov. Fan us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/txdot. Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/txdot.

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Amica Reminds Motorists to Buckle Up Children for National Child Passenger Safety Week

Lincoln, RI (Vocus) September 21, 2010

To mark National Child Passenger Safety Week, Amica Insurance would like to remind all motorists to make sure your child passengers are buckled into appropriate seats.

Every hour, 150 children under the age of 19 are treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 1,400 children under age 14 died ? an average of four children a day ? in 2008 alone, the CDC reported.

?That?s why it?s imperative that parents and caregivers protect their youngest passengers,? said Lisa Melton, an assistant vice president with Amica Insurance, who has two young children. ?Make sure all of your passengers use child safety seats, booster seats and seat belts that are appropriate for your child?s age and weight.?

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reminds motorists that the back seat is the safest place for all children under age 12. In addition, the agency offers the 4 Steps for Kids guidelines:

Babies should typically be placed in rear-facing car seats until they are at least 1 year old and weigh at least 20 pounds
When babies move into forward-facing car seats, they should remain in these until they?re about 4 years old and 40 pounds.
Booster seats should generally be used for children ages 4 to 8, or until they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall.
When children outgrow a booster seat, they can use the adult seat belt as long as it fits properly. The shoulder belt should lie across the middle of the chest and shoulder and not across the neck or throat. The lap belt should fit snuggly across the upper thigh, not the stomach.

The NHTSA notes that as many as three out of every four parents do not properly use child restraints. The agency is sponsoring a National Seat Check on Sept. 25, when certified technicians will inspect your child safety seat and show you how to correctly install and use it. Visit their website, http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS, to find a Child Safety Seat Inspection Station near you.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also recently released its list of the best booster seats available. For more information, visit http://www.iihs.org.

?Next time you head out in the car, make sure all of your passengers ? especially the youngest and most vulnerable ? are safe and secure,? Melton said.

CONTACT:????Vince Burks , Corporate Communications, 50 Amica Way,

Lincoln, RI 02865-1155, 800-652-6422, ext. 24563????

Web site: Amica.com.

Twitter: Amica Insurance

Facebook: Amica Mutual Insurance Co.

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National FFA Week Explores Infinite Potential February 19-26

Indianapolis, IN (Vocus/PRWEB) February 17, 2011

The National FFA Organization will celebrate National FFA Week Feb. 19-26, 2011. Infinite Potential is the theme this year and members are encouraged to envision, discover and achieve their potential within their communities.

?In order to feed a growing population our organization must do more,? explains Riley Pagett, national FFA president, ?FFA members have Infinite Potential and have potential to do great things even beyond their FFA careers.?

The week of George Washington?s birthday was designated by the organization as National FFA Week in 1947. ?George Washington made a lot of contributions to agriculture and the development of the United States,? explains Landan Schaffert, national FFA secretary. ?He had a very diligent work ethic, an honest character and also was very good at record keeping. Those are all things that we hope for our members to accomplish in the National FFA Organization.?

During the week, national officers will travel to different parts of the country to visit FFA members, participate in special events and meet with leaders of the agriculture industry. Individual chapters initiate events throughout the week to promote FFA and agriculture in their classrooms and communities. Events include community service projects, educational lessons for elementary students and promotional programs for students, teachers, and alumni.

National FFA Week is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company and Carhartt as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. For more information about National FFA Week, visit http://www.ffa.org/ffaweek.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 523,309 student members (and counting)?all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture?as part of 7,487 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988 in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81st United States Congress, and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. Follow National FFA on Facebook, Twitter and FFA Nation. Visit http://www.FFA.org to learn more about the National FFA Organization.

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Only One Week Left to Vote in the 'Are You Carhartt Tough' Contest

Cincinnati, OH (Vocus/PRWEB) February 21, 2011

Only one week of voting remains before the toughest of the tough are announced as winners of the Are You Carhartt Tough? contest at http://www.CarharttRental.com, and the top three finalists have maintained their standings since last week.

Tens of thousands of votes have been cast, and the top three finalists for two consecutive weeks have been (in no particular order): Jonathan Backus, a lineman from Hampton, VA; Steve Nicholson, a firefighter from Quincy, CA; and Bubba Peters, a tow truck driver from Seattle, WA.

Finalists? standings have changed many times during the first three weeks of voting, so there are no guarantees that any of the participants mentioned above will win. All 12 finalists still have a chance, but it will require the support of their communities and industries participating in the voting process.

Cintas Corporation launched the Are You Carhartt Tough? last February and has generated hundreds of nominations. Each of the 12 quarterly finalists are featured on the contest?s web site where the public is encouraged to vote. Two grand prize winners will be chosen based on public votes.

The contest was created in conjunction with a new partnership between Carhartt, the nation?s leading manufacturer of premium work wear for over 120 years, and Cintas Corporation, North America?s largest uniform supplier, and the roll-out of the new Carhartt Rental Workwear line, which is available exclusively through Cintas (http://www.cintas.com/carhartt).

?This contest is really a reflection of our companies,? says Chuck Helmes, Director of Garment Strategy at Cintas Corporation. ?Both Carhartt and Cintas are known for providing tough products and dependable service, and we want to celebrate workers who reflect those same characteristics.?

With Ducks Unlimited acting as media sponsor, contest organizers have reached out to the American workforce to identify people who are strong, dependable, resilient and rugged. The two grand prizes include a weekend duck hunt trip designed by Ducks Unlimited or a trip for two to The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series in 2011.

The other nine finalists in the running are:

????Cori Dixon, a Farm Manager from Kutztown, PA
????Tim Zweber, a Dairy Farmer from Elko, MN
????Gabe Butler, a Navy Deep Sea Diver from Coranado, CA
????John Irish, a Truck Driver and Roofer from West Allis, WI
????Elizabeth ?EJ? Robertson, a Laborer/Journeyman from Peoria, IL
????David Huskins, a Field Technician from Denver, CO
????Matthew Clark, a Snowmaker from Boalsburg, PA
????Joanna Davis, an Electrician from Centennial, CO
????Peter Lindbeck, a Heavy Equipment Operator from Brownsville, WI

More information about these finalists, including their entry essays and high-resolution, downloadable photos, can be found at http://www.cintas.com/customer_applications/CarharttRental/images.asp.

?This is a great way for two well-respected work wear brands to showcase the men and women behind some of the toughest jobs out there,? said Steve Carter, Vice President of Corporate Sales for Carhartt. ?Our customers work hard and play hard, and these are two fabulous prizes that we look forward to presenting to our top two finalists.?

About Cintas Corporation: Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid, safety, fire protection products and services and document management services for approximately 800,000 businesses.

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