Health Department offers free car seats through grant program

Financially eligible families of Grady County can get free child passenger safety seats from the Grady County Health Department, courtesy of a minigrant from the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Injury Prevention Program.
“The car seat minigrant program is a wonderful opportunity to help reduce the number of child deaths from crashes,” said Grady County Health Department Manager Peggy Connell. “And it works! Since 2007, the education, car seats and booster seats provided through the minigrant program prevented serious injury or death and saved at least 303 of Georgia’s children who were involved in crashes.”
Car seats reduce fatal injuries in passenger cars by 71 percent among infants and by 54 percent among children ages 1 to 4 years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Car seats offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash, and they are most effective when installed and used correctly,” Connell said. “Unfortunately, three out of every four car seats are not used properly, placing children at unnecessary risk.”
The health department is collaborating with the Cairo Fire Department to offer the program. Funding is provided by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
“We want to help families and caregivers buckle up children correctly for every trip, every time,” said Connell.
To sign up for classes or learn more about the program, contact the Grady County Health Department at 229-377-2992.