Increasing booster seat education and use among pre-kindergarten to second grade DeKalb County elementary school students

To increase awareness of child passenger safety, the DeKalb County Board of Health's Injury Prevention Unit educates both children and adults, using an interactive program, and distributes booster seats to families afterwards. Georgia's child passenger safety law states that children under six years of age must be properly restrained in a car or booster seat and seated in back seat. Safe Kids Worldwide recommends using booster seats for children until they are 4 feet, 9 inches tall and 80 to100 pounds. Since 2002, the Board of Health's program has reached approximately 16,000 pre-kindergarten through second grade children attending DeKalb County schools. In addition, 4,400 booster seats have been distributed.

The booster seat event consists of three parts. First, seat belt surveys are conducted as parents, students and staff arrive in the morning. Then, in the classroom, an educational program teaches the children about passenger safety and assesses their knowledge of potential safety hazards while riding in a car. A “show of hands” survey ascertains where children sit in vehicles (front or back seat), how many use a booster seat, and how many routinely do not buckle up. During the seat distribution, parents receive information on the importance of booster seats and how to use them correctly.

Through ongoing assessment, education and seat distribution, the Injury Prevention Unit is increasing awareness about booster seat use and child passenger safety in DeKalb County.