Kohl’s Hosts Child Safety Seat Fitting Day

PALO ALTO, Calif. – On Saturday, July 30, Kohl’s Department Stores will host the Safely Home Car Seat Fitting Station at its San Jose store at 2323 McKee Road from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free training for parents in how to install a car seat properly will be provided by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

To help promote the safety and health of local children, Kohl’s has donated $39,515 to Packard Hospital this year in support of the fitting station. The commitment is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares for Kids® program, which raises funds for children’s hospitals through the sale of seasonal gift items. Net profits from the sales go to children’s hospitals in the market areas served by Kohl’s.

Safely Home, one of the few programs in California based at a children’s hospital, was initiated after a pilot study at Packard Hospital showed that parents who watch a technician install their child’s car seat are more likely to remember how to do it safely themselves. Packard’s child passenger safety technicians receive intense training provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and have installed more than 1,000 car seats since the program’s inception in November 2004.

“We’re extremely grateful for Kohl’s support of our car seat fitting station,” said Terry O’Grady, R.N., Packard’s director of community and physician relations. “Their generosity enables us to extend our services in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties and ensure that more children in our community are safely buckled up.”

Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under. Child safety seats and safety belts, when installed and used correctly, can prevent injuries and save lives. Yet experts estimate that four out of five car seats are installed incorrectly.

Packard’s station is staffed by a certified technician who will show parents how to properly install car seats and fasten the straps correctly around a child, and will discuss other passenger safety issues such as using cargo nets to safely secure loose items in vans and SUVs. Parents can make an appointment for a car seat fitting during the event by calling (650) 736-2981. Sharkie, the mascot for the San Jose Sharks hockey team, will make a special appearance to celebrate the event and entertain children.

“Kohl’s introduced the Kohl’s Cares for Kids® program to promote children’s health and educational opportunities, and is committed to playing an active role in the communities we serve,” said Julie Gardner, senior vice president of marketing for Kohl’s Department Stores. “We’re proud of the partnerships we’ve created with children’s hospitals across the country, and are excited to join Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in this endeavor.”

About Kohl’s Department Stores

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced national, exclusive and private brand apparel, shoes, accessories and home products in an exciting shopping environment. Kohl’s operates 670 stores in 40 states. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.

About Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health

Ranked as one of the nation’s top ten hospitals by U.S. News and World Report, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford is a 264-bed hospital devoted to the care of children and expectant mothers. Providing pediatric and obstetric medical and surgical services and associated with Stanford School of Medicine, LPCH offers patients locally, regionally and nationally the full range of health-care programs and services – from preventive and routine care to the diagnosis and treatment of serious illness and injury. For more information about LPCH, visit www.lpch.org. The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health fundraises for the Children’s Hospital and pediatric programs at the Stanford University School of Medicine. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.lpfch.org.