In St. Lucie County, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of injury and death for children. According to the latest statistics from the Department of Highway Safety, using a car seat reduces the risk for death to infants by 71% and to toddlers by 54%, but in order for those devices to work, they must be installed correctly and properly fitted.
In past years, resources were available for groups to apply for grant funding through the Florida Occupant Protection Resource Center. However, recent rulings have deemed car seats ineligible under these programs.
To ensure that our families can still have access to safe and suitable car seats for their children, the Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County has allocated funding for 310 car seats to our local Safe Kids Coalition. The Safe Kids Coalition will handle the distribution and installation of those seats for qualifying families.
“We want to make sure families have access to proper car seats,” said Sean Boyle, executive director of the Children’s Services Council. “Educating families and providing them the tools to be safe will not only save lives, but also help give parents peace of mind.”
In order to receive a car seat, caregivers will be required to participate in one-on-one sessions with a Child Passenger Safety Technician learning the basics of child passenger safety and proper installation of the car seat. The training includes a demonstration on how to properly install the seat and the proper harnessing of the child.
Families interested in making an appointment for car seat installation can call Safe Kids St. Lucie Coalition Coordinator, Ronda Cerulli at 772-462-3501.
The Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County improves the lives of more than 30,000 children and families in our community by funding and partnering with quality agencies that ensure that every baby born is a healthy baby, stop child abuse before it happens, keep kids off the streets, keep them in school, and keep them away from drugs, alcohol and other risky behaviors. For detailed information on all programs being supported by the Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County or the annually funded programs, please call us at 772-408-1100 or visit www.cscslc.org.
