The Richmond and Henrico health districts are joining the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in observing Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week through Sept. 21. 

The initiative aims to educate parents and caregivers on the correct use of child passenger safety devices, such as car seats, booster seats and seat belts.

RHHD Community Health Workers are leading ongoing classes at local resource centers as part of the Virginia Department of Health’s Low Income Safety Seat Program, which provides families with essential safety information and access to child safety seats.

“I enjoy knowing that I am playing a part in a child being safe while riding in a car,” said Patrice Shelton, a certified community health worker with RHHD. “Children 7 years old and younger are eligible for the Low Income Safety Seat program. To participate in the program, families take part in a free one-hour training to learn valuable information on how to keep their child safe within the car. They also receive a new safety seat for their child.”

Elham Khairi, another RHHD community health worker, emphasized the importance of proper installation. “It’s simple; it’s about safety; your child’s life depends on it. One of the most important aspects of the training is to demonstrate how to correctly install a car safety seat.”

Eligible families must meet certain criteria, including living in Virginia, being a custodial parent or guardian of a child age 7 or younger, and meeting income requirements for programs such as WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or FAMIS. Pregnant mothers in their last trimester also are eligible. To participate, families must attend the training session.

For more information on the Low Income Safety Seat Program, call 1-800-732-8333.