Car crashes are one of the leading causes of deaths and injuries for children and many of these injuries are easily prevented using child safety seats and seat belts. Using a properly fitted child safety seat can reduce the risk of car crash deaths by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers ages 1-4, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The California Office of Traffic Safety, through the NHTSA, has for the fourth year in a row awarded Sacramento County Public Health a $123,919 grant to continue and expand the reach of the successful car seat safety program provided to the community in partnership with Dignity Health, Mercy San Juan Medical Center. The grant program runs through September 2025.
The goal of the car seat program is to ensure every child in Sacramento County has access to the safest possible travel environment. Key features of the program include:
- Child safety seat inspection and education classes
- Child passenger safety technician and recertification courses
- No-cost child safety seats for families in need
- Community outreach efforts in underserved communities
The car seat safety program distributed more than 570 car seats to families in need, and provided educational workshops designed to teach proper installation and usage of child safety seats to over 900 caregivers last year, but the impact of the work extends far beyond the numbers.
“It’s so rewarding to see how appreciative caregivers are when they’ve gone through a car seat class and learned how to keep their children safe,” said Chengyeng Ly, Injury Prevention Program Lead at Dignity Health Mercy San Juan Medical Center. “A lot of families don’t realize how important it is to properly secure their car seat or booster seat and how it can prevent injuries in the event of a crash. Providing this life-saving education is incredibly meaningful.”
The program reduces economic barriers by offering free car seats to low-income families who might not otherwise have the means to afford them.
“Families in low-income communities often pick and choose what to prioritize, like food over gas or bills over food,” one caregiver shared. “The free car seats and supplies we got from this program helped us save money for other important things, like bills and our rainy-day fund. It’s a blessing."
The program’s success hinges on community involvement. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) are an integral part of the program and offer hands-on assistance at car seat inspection events. They’ve helped install over 600 car seats properly for families to make sure their children are safe.
“It’s an amazing feeling when you see a parent or caregiver realize that they can properly install a car seat and buckle their children correctly,” said Raul Gallardo, Community Injury Prevention Coordinator at Mercy San Juan Medical Center. “It gives them confidence, and when they realize how important it is, they tell others in their family and community. This program is a ripple effect – when we educate one family, they educate others.”
One story from the past year highlights the far-reaching effects of the program. A grandmother who had recently taken custody of her grandchild was using an inappropriate car seat because she couldn’t afford a new one. She was given a properly sized seat for her grandchild at a car seat safety program workshop, ensuring the child’s safety and providing the grandmother peace of mind.
In addition to child seat inspections, the program hosts workshops specifically targeting underserved and refugee communities, offering resources in multiple languages to make certain all families, regardless of background, are equipped to protect their children on the roads.
“We know that proper car seat usage is one of the most effective ways to prevent injury or death in young children,” said Dr. Kasirye, Sacramento County Public Health Officer. “The OTS grant and our partnership with Dignity Health, Mercy San Juan Medical Center are allowing us to make a real, lasting difference in the lives of families in our community.”
The Child Passenger Safety Program is designed to meet families where they are – whether they are attending a workshop, receiving a free car seat or learning about the importance of safe travel for their children. Sacramento County remains committed to keeping children in the community safe as this program enters its fourth year of OTS funding.
Interested participants are encouraged to make a car seat safety check appointment at Methodist Hospital or Mercy San Juan Medical Center, and can call the Car Seat Hotline at (916) 864-5779 with any questions.
For more information about the program in general, visit Sacramento County Childhood Illness and Injury Prevention or contact Riley Stoltenburg at (916) 875-6094 or StoltenburgR@saccounty.gov.