Did you know, injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44? Fortunately, there are many things people can do to prevent injuries and stay safe. During the month of June, public health agencies shine a spotlight on injury prevention by celebrating National Safety Month. National Safety Month raises awareness about preventable injuries and important safety issues like poisonings, transportation safety, and slips, trips, and falls. This June, the Allegheny County Health Department’s (ACHD) Traffic Safety Education Project is celebrating National Safety Month by highlighting the importance of car seat safety.

The goal of ACHD’s Traffic Safety Education Project (TSEP) is to reduce local injuries and deaths due to avoidable vehicle crashes. TSEP staff utilize state-approved curriculum to provide educational programming on a variety of traffic safety topics, including car seat usage, aggressive and distracted driving, and seat belt safety. TSEP also offers educational programming for audiences ranging from elementary students to mature drivers. One of the priorities of TSEP is car seat safety and educating residents about proper car seat usage.

The leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13 is car crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that in 59% of cases, children’s car seats are used incorrectly. Car seats and boosters protect children and infants from bodily injury and death during car crashes. It is essential for parents and caregivers to choose and use the correct car seat every time. There are a variety of resources available for families to determine the correct car seat. Need help finding the right car seat? NHTSA has an electronic Car Seat Finder tool to help families choose a car seat and offers instructions on installing car seats.

If you are looking for more hands-on experience related to car seat safety, TSEP has you covered. Our TSEP staff are certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST). The staff are certified to provide community presentations and/or child safety seat checks where parents and caregivers receive education and hands-on assistance with the proper use of child restraint systems and seat belts. Parents and caregivers who attend a car seat check will get one-on-one personalized instruction on how to properly use their child’s car seat.

Join us on Friday, June 21^st from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Ohio Township Volunteer Fire Department (1520 Roosevelt Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237) for a Car Seat Safety Check. The service is free, but appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, please call Kristen Urso at 412-885-0266.

To learn about other events, or to schedule one for your community, please visit: www.pasafekids.org.