The State of Georgia is helping to keep local children safe with mini-grants to fund car safety seats.

All 10 of South Health District’s health departments have been awarded the 2024 Car Seat Mini-Grant by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Injury Prevention Program. South Health District serves Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift and Turner counties.

Through the mini-grant, South Health District and its local partners work together to provide car seats and education to financially eligible families across the district. This program is funded by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to help ensure Georgia’s children are safe while riding in motor vehicles.

And it works! Since 2007, the education, car seats and booster seats provided through the mini-grant prevented serious injury or death and saved more than 437 of Georgia’s children who were involved in crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats reduce fatal injuries by 71 percent among infants and by 54 percent among children ages 1 to 4 years in passenger cars.

Car seats offer the best protection for children in the event of a crash, and they are most effective when installed and used correctly. Nearly three out of every four car seats are not used properly, according to the public health district.

The mini-grant helps health department staff educate parents and caregivers on how to properly install and use car seats. They can offer car seat inspections and provide car seats and booster seats to financially eligible families.

Nobody wants to be in a car crash, but they unfortunately happen. A properly used car seat can save a child’s life.

We thank the Georgia Department of Public Health for directing money to this program, and we encourage parents to speak with the local Health Department if they need a car seat or need help installing or using one they already have.

Your child is worth it.