Every day in America, millions of parents and caregivers travel with children in their vehicles. While some children are buckled in properly in the correct car seats for their age and size, many are not, if they are buckled up at all. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 46% of car seats are misused, even when parents believe the seats are installed correctly.
On average, about 2,000 children ages 12 and under are hurt in crashes in Wisconsin every year. In Walworth County from 2017 to 2021, there were more than 140 motor vehicle injuries requiring hospital care for children ages 14 and under. When car seats are installed correctly, they can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
The Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services and the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office are combatting this issue through safety education, car seat inspections, installations, and by providing child safety seats for free to qualifying families.
“Correctly installed car seats and booster seats are a critical component of a child’s safety, preventing injury and even death,” says Public Health Officer Erica Bergstrom. “Using the appropriately sized car seat or having your car seat installed by a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) can make all the difference.”
Child Passenger Safety Technicians are available to meet with families year-round at the Walworth County Department of Health and Human Services and the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office.
A CPST appointment will include:
Education and information on the proper use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.
Safety recommendations for your child’s age and size.
Inspecting that the car seat is installed correctly and the child is secure in his or her seat.
Ensuring that the parent or caregiver will be able to install the seat correctly and use it correctly every time.
To schedule an appointment with a CPST at Health and Human Services call (262) 741-3200. Or call the Sheriff’s Office at 262) 741-4400, where a dispatcher will provide you with the contact information of a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Deputy.
What else can caregivers do?
Access resources to make sure children are in the right car seat for their age and size. Free parent and caregiver resources are available online at https://bit.ly/3d4Oa7l.
Never use an expired car seat, a seat that was involved in a crash, or a seat that has been recalled.
Register the car seat with the manufacturer to be notified of safety recalls.
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