Ensuring the safety of our youngest passengers on the road is a crucial concern for every parent and caregiver. Proper use of car seats is critical to helping keep kids safe, offering protection and peace of mind by significantly reducing the risk of injury during accidents.
However, a study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that 46% of car seats and booster seats are installed incorrectly. Improperly installed car seats can lead to severe injury or worse in a car accident.
The injury prevention team at Children’s Minnesota has taken a proactive approach to help educate families about the importance of car seats and how to use them correctly. Throughout the year, the team partners with community organizations, schools and public safety departments to provide hands-on education to families. In 2024, the team has participated in car seat events with the following communities or organizations:
- Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Urban Office
- Bloomington Police Department
- Inspire Change Clinic
- Parents in Community Action (PICA) Head Start
In addition, the team offers Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) training so others in the community can be an advocate and resource for car seat safety. Once certified, CPSTs are able to guide parents and caregivers through the correct installation process, demonstrate the importance of securing harnesses properly, and ensure the car seat is appropriate for the child’s age, weight, and height. This year, the injury prevention team at Children’s Minnesota has provided CPST training at the Minnesota State Academies for the Deaf and Blind, Fridley, Fire Department, the Division of Indian Work and Wadena Public Health, as well as a few hybrid online/in-person courses serving Metro communities.
Through community outreach events and partnerships with local organizations, the injury prevention program aims to spread awareness and education, significantly reducing the risk of injury by ensuring that every car seat is installed correctly.
We are grateful to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and to Buckle Up For Life, a partnership between Toyota and Cincinnati Children’s, for their generous support of this program. Grant funding is used for CPST training, car seat education events and to purchase the car seats that are donated to local community organizations serving families in our communities.