American Plastics Council, California Department of Education and California Highway Patrol Launch Statewide Children's Sports Safety Awareness Campaign.

News Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 30, 2003

"Play it Safe...No Gear, No Game" campaign educates public

on how plastic safety gear can save kids' lives

In an effort to reduce the number of sports-related injuries suffered by California children, the American Plastics Council (APC) in collaboration with the California Department of Education and the California Highway Patrol today announced the statewide launch of a California Children's Sports Safety Awareness Campaign. The "Play it Safe...No Gear, No Game" campaign seeks to educate the public on the importance of wearing safety devices -- helmets, kneepads, eye protection -- while participating in sporting and recreational activities.

The announcement took place on the West Steps of the State Capitol at 10:00 AM today, and included remarks from Tim Shestek, Director of State and Local Public Affairs, American Plastics Council; the California Department of Education; California State Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont); Dana Long, California State Coordinator of National Safe Kids Organization; and David Brunelle of the California Highway Patrol.

Additionally, BMX bicycle stunt team Wheels of Freestyle, one of the largest extreme sports production companies in the world, signed autographs, answered safety questions and showcased their outrageous stunts to emphasize the importance of wearing safety gear. CHP mascot "Chipper" was also on hand.

California straps on the toughest child safety helmet law in the nation.

Last year, Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and former State Senator, authored legislation that expanded California's bicycle helmet law to require children under the age of 18 to wear helmets when they use a skateboard, in-line/roller skates, or a scooter. "Scooters and skateboards may look innocent, but they require the same high level of skill and balance as riding a bicycle," says Superintendent O'Connell. "Too many children go to the emergency room because they aren't wearing helmets. This law is just plain common sense, and will help avoid injuries and possibly save lives." The law also applies to small child passengers in bike seats and trailers. The new requirements took effect January 1, 2003 and made California's child-helmet law the strictest in the nation.

Violators -- or their parents -- face fines of $25 for noncompliance, with nearly three-quarters of the money used to help fund county health departments to promote helmet safety education and to subsidize helmet purchases for low-income families.

Senator Liz Figueroa recognizes May as "National Bicycle Safety Month" with Resolution

At today's press conference, Senator Liz Figueroa, a member of the state Senate's Health and Human Services Committee, issued a state resolution announcing the recognition of May as National Bicycle Safety Month. She also acknowledged the unique partnership that has been created to promote children's safety.

"Children ages 5 to 14 account for approximately 21 percent of all bicycle-related deaths and nearly half of all bicycle-related injuries," said Senator Figueroa. "The single most effective safety device available to reduce the risk of bicycle-related death and injury is a plastic bicycle helmet; which can reduce the risk of brain injury by as much as 90 percent."

Plastic safety gear can help reverse the trend of rising sports-related injuries

The American Academy of Pediatrics estimated in March that, nationwide, skateboard-related injuries cause 50,000 emergency room visits and 1,500 hospitalizations annually. Meanwhile, preliminary data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that non-powered scooters accounted for some 9,400 emergency room visits between January and August 2000. Ninety percent of those patients were younger than 15. All told, more than 3.5 million children suffer sports- and recreational-related injuries each year, according to Safe Kids.

"Over the past two decades, advances in plastics technology have driven the evolution of car safety seats, seat belts, floatation devices and other safety devices, and reduced the unintentional injury-related death rate among children 14 and under by 46 percent", says Mr. Shestek. "By encouraging children to wear crucial sports equipment such as helmets, eye protection, mouth guards and padding during practices and games, we can work to reduce the number of sports-related injuries."

Free safety posters for classrooms while supplies last

Today's campaign launch also included the unveiling of a new poster that will remind children to wear proper safety gear during sporting activities. Reiterating the campaign theme, "Play it Safe...No Gear, No Game," the 2' x 3' full-color poster is printed on durable plastic and features original artwork telling kids -- in their language -- that safety gear can help save their lives. A sample of the poster can be found at www.teachingplastics.org

Teachers are encouraged to visit www.teachingplastics.org to order a free poster for their classrooms while supplies last. Additionally, the web site hosts links and resources on subjects relating to the history of plastics, recycling, resource conservation, food safety and sports.

Sacramento launch is first step in statewide campaign.

Following today's campaign launch, APC in collaboration with the California Department of Education will sponsor a "Wheels of Freestyle" tour across California. At school assemblies for kindergarten through 8th grades, members of the top-rated BMX bicycle team will perform stunts, sign autographs and promote the importance of proper safety gear. The outreach program will reach several markets, including Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego and the Central Valley.

More information available at interactivemediakit.com/gearupforsafety/index.asp.

"Gear up for Safety," an informative guide to sports-related safety and injury prevention for children, including the use of plastics-based helmets and other protective gear, can be found at www.interactivemediakit.com/gearupforsafety/index.asp.

The site also includes relevant sports safety-related statistics and a Q&A forum with safety expert Michelle Klein, executive director of the non-profit National Youth Sports Safety Foundation.

About the American Plastics Council

APC is a national trade association representing 24 of the nation's largest resin producers, including monomer and polymer production and distribution. Founded in 1988, APC demonstrates that plastics are a responsible choice and promotes the countless ways they make people's lives better, healthier and safer. For more information on plastics, visit www.plastics.org.