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WHAT IS BOOST AMERICA!_ |  |
Highway crashes are a leading killer of children annually, and research shows that the majority of the 20 million at-risk children who should ride in booster seats (generally kids aged 4-8 who are too big for infant seats, yet still too small for adult-sized safety belts alone), are not properly secured while riding in autos.
 | With this in mind, Ford Motor Company and 29 leading national organizations created Boost America!, a highway safety campaign designed to send the message to parents and children that booster seats are the safe and fun way to ride in a vehicle.
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| Boost America! delivered this message to every preschool and elementary school in the United States, and is putting one million booster seats onto the road, with half going to families in need. |  |
Educational Curriculum
- Boost America! will increase awareness of booster seat use through the dissemination of an education curriculum and outreach to 152,290 of the nation's licensed and registered daycare, preschool and elementary schools. The elementary school materials include a video featuring Will and Jada Pinkett Smith - prominent entertainers and parents - talking about the importance of using booster seats. The preschool package features the character "Blue" of Nickelodeon's "Blue's Clues." For a sneak peak of the materials, click here
One Million Seats
- Boost America! distributed one million booster seats during 2001 and 2002, half through the United Way to needy families and half through vouchers distributed by participating Ford Motor Company dealers and Boost America! partners and other organizations. The giveaways are now complete. If you missed this offer, please do consider purchasing a booster seat at any major retailer for your child who is between 40 and 80 pounds. They are relatively inexpensive ($23 and up) and could make a big difference in your child's life.
Child Seat Fittings
- Ford has committed $3 million to partner with states and dealers to augment and expand state instructional and fitting station programs so parents and other caregivers better understand how to install and use all child safety seats. In February 2001 Ford announced the award of a total of $1 million in assistance to states and local groups for efforts to increase the number of trained child seat instructors and technicians, and to increase parental awareness of available local fitting opportunities.
Booster Seat Legislation
- Ford Motor Company supports state laws that require children up to eight years and 80 pounds to be properly secured in child safety and booster seats. As of June, 2002, twelve states have child restraint laws covering children over 40 pounds. These states are Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and the state of Washington.

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