Photo courtesy of First Insurance Company of Hawaii
By Staff Reports
(Honolulu) – As part of its commitment to keeping Hawaii’s keiki safe, First Insurance Company of Hawaii (FICOH) is continuing its free car-seat safety inspections this Friday, June 27, and the fourth Friday of every following month this year. The inspections, which are being offered to all members of the public, are performed by certified car-seat technicians from FICOH’s Claims and Risk & Safety Management staff.
What:
Free keiki car-seat safety checks
Upcoming dates:
Fridays, June 27, July 25 and August 22; half-hour appointments available between 10 a.m. and 12 noon.
Where:
First Insurance Center parking garage, corner of Ward Avenue and Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI 96814 (entrance on Beretania Street)
Make your appointment today:
(only 16 slots available on each date)
“We are proud to be the only insurance carrier in Hawaii to offer this free public service,” said Marie Weite, a FICOH claims manager and certified car-seat technician. “As children keep growing, we encourage parents and caregivers to periodically ensure that their car-seat remains a good fit for their child.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death among children. Too often, these deaths result from child-restraint systems being installed or used incorrectly. Using age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats and seat belts reduces the risk of serious or fatal injuries to infants by 71 percent, to toddlers by 54 percent and to children ages 4 to 8 by 45 percent.
“FICOH’s goal is to give families the peace of mind that their children are well protected,” Weite said. “Our certified technicians are here to help you feel confident that your child is safely strapped in. From infant seats to booster seats for older children, we are happy to educate drivers on providing the best possible protection for the child they are carrying.”
The CDC offers the following recommendations to help parents ensure that their child is always buckled in an age- and size-appropriate seat:
– Buckle children in a rear-facing car seat from birth until age 2 (or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of that seat).
– Buckle children in a forward-facing car seat from age 2 (or when they outgrow their rear-facing seat) up to at least age 5 (or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of that seat).
– Buckle children in a booster seat from age 5 (or when they outgrow their forward-facing seat) up until ordinary seat belts fit properly.
– Use ordinary seat belts when the lap belt can lie across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lies across the chest (not the neck).
– Using whichever seat is appropriate for their age, height and weight, children should be seated in the middle of the back seat whenever possible, because this is the safest spot in the car.
– Buckle all children 12 and under in the back seat, because airbags can kill young children riding in the front seat.
– Buckle children in on every trip, no matter how short.
About First Insurance Company of Hawaii
Founded on August 11, 1911, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd. is the oldest and largest property and casualty insurer domiciled in Hawaii, with assets of $640.7 million, liabilities of $354.3 million and policyholders’ surplus of $286.4 million as of December 31, 2013.
First Insurance, a member of the Tokio Marine North America (TMNA) group of companies, enjoys an “A+” (superior) rating from A.M. Best Co., whose ratings are widely recognized as a benchmark of an insurer’s financial strength. Proud of its broadly experienced, service-oriented staff, First Insurance employs more than 300 insurance professionals and distributes its products through 29 independent general agencies. It has claims personnel on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.
Follow First Insurance on Twitter (@FirstInsHI) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/FirstInsHI).
