Milton, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) will be conducting free car seat safety checks Thursday, September 21, at the health department’s Milton location, 5527 Stewart Street.  The event will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Nationally certified technicians will be on hand to examine seats to be sure they are correctly installed.  The event coincides with National Child Passenger Safety Week, September 18 - 24. 

According to Florida CHARTS, in 2016, 9 children under the age of 1, and 38 between the ages of 1 and 5 years, died or were injured in motor vehicle accidents in Santa Rosa County.  The proper use of child safety seats can reduce these injuries and deaths by more than half, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  

The Florida Child Restraint Misuse Rate report for 2016 lists the rate of improperly used car seats in our county at 89 percent. A certified safety seat technician can examine your child’s seat to determine if it is installed correctly and is appropriate for your child’s age and size.  The technician will also look at the condition of the seat to determine if it should be replaced.  If a new seat is needed, a limited number of seats will be available at the September 21 event for a donation of $25.00. 

Help Purchase a Seat for a Family in Need. 

In 1995, the Florida legislature established a program that allows vehicle owners to donate to a fund that will provide car seats to families that cannot afford them.  It is called the $2 Difference Child Safety Seat Program.  The program allows vehicle owners to make a donation of $2, or more, to the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund.  All funds donated through the Santa Rosa County Tax Collector’s Office are returned to the county in the form of child safety seats.  If you would like to help purchase a car seat for a family in need, we encourage you to consider making a donation when you renew your car registration or register a new vehicle.

For more information on the DOH-Santa Rosa child safety seat event, contact Ashlee Turner at 850-983-5200, ext. 2304. 

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.