Immediate Release

Back to school event aims to buckle up 'tweens'

DALLAS- 'Tweens' (youth ages 8 to 12) are dying in motor vehicle crashes at an alarming rate. In an effort to reduce those deaths, the 81st Texas Legislature passed a law requiring youth under age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches to ride in a child safety seat or booster seat beginning Sept. 1.       "But the law doesn't take into consideration those in the 'tween' category," said Jessica Trudeau, Senior Community Development Specialist with the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas. "The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that an average of six children under age 15 were killed each day in 2004 and 673 youth this age were injured in motor vehicle crashes."       To raise awareness and ultimately reduce those preventable deaths, a back to school safety event will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, July 18 at the Lakewest Family YMCA, 3737 Goldman St., Dallas.       "The IPC in conjunction with the West Dallas community is implementing a three-year intervention to increase the number of properly restrained 'tweens' seated in the back seat of a vehicle. It is imperative that we work to protect our youth," said Trudeau.       The event will offer free immunizations and the first 100 children who arrive will receive a clear back pack for school and a certificate for free swim classes from the YMCA. The second 100 children will receive a T-shirt. There will be games, refreshments and information on local agencies and programs.       The IPC staff works to prevent injuries through community collaboration, education and evaluation. Housed at Parkland Health & Hospital System, the IPC is jointly funded by Parkland, Baylor Healthcare System, Texas Health Resources, Children's Medical Center of Dallas and Methodist Hospitals of Dallas.

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For Further Information Contact: Lynsey Purl 214.590.8054 lynsey.purl@parknet.pmh.org