Child safety seat checkup events: Are they effective?

Since 1996, Safe Kids Worldwide has provided child passenger safety education targeted to caregivers and parents at the community level. The program promotes correct use of child restraints and increases awareness about the benefits of keeping children in child restraints for as long as possible. The objective of this study was to measure parent confidence levels and skill development at before and after child safety seat checkup events over a six-week interval using child passenger safety checklists and a matching behavioral survey.

Parents' and caregivers' knowledge and skill levels increased after the hands-on education, demonstrating that although teaching proper seat installation through demonstration and discussion is important, it is vital to have the parent or caregiver take part in the installation process. The events also taught parents to only use seats that meet federal safety standards, have not been involved in a crash, and have not expired. This knowledge significantly reduced the percentage of inappropriate seats used at the second event.

Parents and caregivers understood and remembered the education, and their attitudes, installation skills and ability to properly secure their children significantly increased from event 1 to event 2. The increase in the number of children riding in appropriate restraints shows these events were a positive force in preventing childhood injuries from motor vehicle crashes.