LANSING— Senator Deb Cherry (D-Burton) is cosponsoring a Health Fair in the City of Clio in conjunction with the Clio Area Regional Planning Board and Representative Richard Hammel (D-Mt. Morris Township). As part of the fair, Hurley Medical Center’s Safe Kids Greater Flint Coalition will be doing free child safety seat checks from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and can help inform parents of new safety guidelines for children’s automotive safety that became law today.

“This covers a lot of the basic health concerns for local residents and their children in a fun atmosphere and for absolutely free,” said Sen. Cherry. “I was pleased to cosponsor legislation to strengthen guidelines for kids’ safety when they’re in a car, and now I’m happy to help parents understand and adhere to those guidelines.”

Sen. Cherry was a cosponsor of Senate Bill 82 which requires the use of a child safety restraint system or booster seat for certain children when in a vehicle. The bill requires that a child who is four years of age or older but less than eight, and who is less than four feet nine inches tall, be properly secured in a child restraint system. It was passed into law today, and will take effect this July 1st.

There will also be blood pressure screenings, vision screenings for school-age children, and a demonstration by the Clio Area Fire Department of a Smoke House to help illustrate fire safety in a fun and informative way. Various health organizations will also be present passing out information and providing advice. Prizes will also be raffled off throughout the event. The Health Fair is free and open to the public, and residents from across the surrounding area are encouraged to attend and take part in this informative event.

The Clio Community Health Fair is this Thursday, April 17, 2008, and runs from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. It will be held at Bethany United Methodist Church, located at 353 E. Vienna St. in Clio.

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Elected to the Senate in 2002 and 2006, Senator Cherry is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, serving as Minority Vice Chair on the Subcommittees for Community Health and Retirement. She is also a member of the Subcommittee on Capital Outlay.