Ben Hill, Cook, Echols, Lowndes and Tift County Health Departments were awarded the 2014 Car Seat Mini-Grant by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Injury Prevention Program. Through the Mini-Grant, the health departments work with community partners (i.e., law enforcement, fire, EMS) to provide car seats and educations to financially eligible families in their counties.

And it works! Since 2007, at least 262 children in Georgia who were involved in crashes were saved from serious injury or death by car seats, booster seats, and education provided through the Mini-Grant.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats reduce fatal injuries by 71 percent among infants and by 54 percent among children ages 1 to 4 years in passenger cars.  Car seats offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash, and they are most effective when installed and used correctly.  Nearly three out of every four car seats are not used properly, placing children at unnecessary risk.

“It’s our responsibility to keep our children safe,” said Cynthia Sharper, Lowndes County Car Seat Technician.  “The Car Seat Mini-Grant is a great opportunity to help our community and help protect our kids from serious injuries or death in motor vehicle crashes.”

In each county, health department staff and community partners work together to educate parents and caregivers on how to properly install and use car seats, offer car seat inspections and provide car seats and booster seats to financially eligible families.  Through the Car Seat Mini-Grant, agencies supporting more than 130 counties are working to keep Georgia’s children safe.  These programs help families get their children buckled up right, every trip, every time.

For more information about the  car seat program, contact your local health department. If you would like information regarding other counties involved in the program, please contact the Ga Department of Public Health’s Child Occupant Safety Project via email at injury@dhr.state.ga.us or at (404) 679-0500.