Contact: Captain Dave Wheaton, Lee County Public Safety/EMS

(941) 335-1661

BUCKLE UP CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE ON PROPER CHILD RESTRAINTS

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 30, 2000) – Lee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is participating in the Florida Department of Transportation’s "BUCKLE UP...IT’S THE LAW!" campaign.

Each EMS ambulance and supervisor vehicle is being issued green colored “BUCKLE UP...IT’S THE LAW!” cards. During their routine duties, if paramedics note an improperly restrained child in a vehicle, they will note the vehicle tag number on the card and upon returning to their station call the “Buckle Up” Hotline at 1‑800‑699‑SAFE to report the incident. The hotline personnel will then send an information packet to the registered owner of the vehicle.

"Paramedics deal with the end result of improperly restrained children on a routine basis,” says Captain Dave Wheaton, EMS spokesman. “It is a very frustrating situation for our medics to see this occur to a child. Parents don’t do this on purpose, many just aren’t educated about the possible results of not having their children properly restrained.

“Lee County EMS is very pleased to be participating in this wonderful injury prevention campaign. If we can make a positive impact on even one child’s life, this effort will be worth its weight in gold.”