Child Safety in Northern California Boosted by Reiner, Simpson, Slaughter & Wood, LLP

REDDING, Calif., Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Reiner, Simpson, Slaughter & Wood, LLP provided about 800 premium booster seats to northern California families in response to concerns from area school officials that too many of students ride to and from school campuses without adequate safety seats.

Attorney Russ Reiner, founder of Reiner, Simpson, Slaughter & Wood, LLP, developed a safety campaign after area school leaders shared their growing concerns.

Reiner said, "When I found out that many local children the same age as my two grandkids ride without booster seats, we knew we had to do something to make a difference. We have seen many cases where children were severely injured or killed because they were not in proper safety seats."

Jeff Harris, principal at North Cow Creek elementary school in Palo Cedro, Calif., said the booster seat campaign helps since the entire school district relies on private transportation for children to get to and from school. "North Cow Creek School has been a public school for more than 100 years and has never had a bus," he said. "Field trips are a real challenge, for example, because some families could not afford the right safety seats."

More than 2,000 people showed up at the law firm's two "Safety Matters" giveaways this summer. The first event -- which featured local public safety personnel, actors in crash dummy costumes, emergency vehicles, and food and drink -- gridlocked nearby streets as the firm gave away an initial order of 500 seats. Fortunately, Reiner said, the firm coordinated with local authorities beforehand. He added, "We were prepared, but even we were surprised by the need of the community."

The firm distributed Britax Parkway SG seats, an expensive model notable for a seatbelt clip that prevents "submarining" of children under lap belts which often causes lower spine injuries in accidents.

The Injury Prevention Coalition of Shasta County, Calif. – which includes the California Highway Patrol, Mercy Medical Center, and Shasta County Public Health – participated at the event as well. The law firm also provided seats to the Shasta County Women's Refuge, Northern California Catholic Social Services, Operation Blue Birthday, and Far Northern Regional Center.

Reiner added, "We're still receiving inquiries about our 'Safety Matters' campaign. We're so pleased with the safety seat giveaway that we're looking at other ways to help in the community."

About Reiner, Simpson, Slaughter & Wood LLP

For more than 30 years, Reiner, Simpson, Slaughter & Wood LLP has helped victims of auto accidents, defective product injuries, boating accidents, and other catastrophic injuries in Shasta County. More information about the firm can be found at http://norcallaw.com.

Contact: Russell Reiner, Reiner, Simpson, Slaughter & Wood, LLP, (530) 241-1905, [email protected].

SOURCE Reiner, Simpson, Slaughter & Wood, LLP