St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2008

Saving Lives with Safety Seats

St. Charles County, MO -Thanks to a grant from the Community and Children’s Resource Board and the Children’s Trust Fund, the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment is offering free child safety seats to low-income families.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. In 2006, 674 children under the age of four were killed in traffic crashes in Missouri, according to the State Highway Patrol. Many of these deaths could have been prevented by placing children in age- and size-appropriate restraint systems.

“Proper use of a child safety seat has been shown to reduce or prevent injury in a crash,” said Hollie Milam, health educator for the department. “Our program focuses on the importance of using a safety seat, as well as providing information on proper installation.”

To qualify for a free child safety seat, a family’s income cannot exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that would equal $39,200 a year. For more information about the child safety seat program, contact health educator Hollie Milam at (636) 949-7413.

The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment is committed to the protection and enhancement of health and the quality of life for all members of our community. For more information, call (636) 949-7400 or visit www.scchealth.org.

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