Car seat check

WHAT:         UF Health and the Safe Kids North Central Florida Coalition are teaming up to keep children safe for road trips and other drives on the road. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children in the United States, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This free event offers families the opportunity to have their car seats inspected by certified child passenger safety technicians, ensuring they’re installed and used correctly.

“A properly used and installed child safety seat can reduce the risk of injury by as much as 71 percent, but too many families lack access to the education and safety devices every child deserves,” said Jordyn Zyngier, Safe Kids North Central Florida Coordinator and UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital Pediatric Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator. “Buckling up every ride every time in the correct safety seat is the most effective way to protect a child.”

From 2024-2025, data shows a 95% misuse rate of car seats. This data was gathered during events hosted by the Safe Kids North Central Florida Coalition in Alachua County. The CDC says car seat use reduces the risk for injury in a crash by 71–82% for children, when compared with seat belt use alone.

WHEN:        1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursday, July 17