Allison Louden, Mechanical Engineer with the U.S. Department of Transportation, checks a car seat while a CPS certified volunteer records data.

In a national celebration of one million car seats and booster seats checked for installation, Logan County Safe Kids USA volunteers held their annual seat check at Steve Austin's Auto Group in Bellefontaine on Thursday.

The Logan County chapter has been holding events through Safe Kids Buckle Up since 2003 and has checked more than 400 child seats in the Logan county area. (Audio interview included.)

"We are so proud to be part of this incredible achievement," said Lynn Myers, Logan County Chapter coordinator.

Logan County Safe Kids has eight certified child passenger safety technicians, many volunteers, and several community partners all dedicated to saving children's lives.

Significant progress has been made since 1996 when the program checked its first car seat.

Statistics from the National Highway Transportation Administration show a 25 percent drop in vehicle crash fatalities for children under the age of 5 from 1997 to 2006.

Car seats have saved the lives of an estimated 3,800 children age birth to 4 from 1997 to 2006.

Over 20 car seats were checked at this year's Safe Kid program at Steve Austin's, with the youngest child being 5 days old.

Listen to Allison Louden with the U.S. Department of Transportation explain national safety requirements.

Volunteers must attend a 32-hour training class before they are Child Passenger Safety Techs, (CPS certified).

Volunteers are on hand every third Friday of the month at the Logan County Highway Garage located on County Road 13 in Bellefontaine.

The next inspection will be held on July 18th from 10:00 a.m. until noon.

For more information you may contact Christina Bramlage at the Health Department at 599-3345 or Lynn Myers, Safe Kids Coordinator at 593-0245.

Safe Kids Buckle Up, the child passenger safety program of Safe Kids USA, is sponsored by Chevrolet and General Motors.

The partnership between Safe Kids USA and GM is the longest running corporate/nonprofit partnership in history to address safety for children in and around vehicles.