The Washington County Car Seat Program includes a Distribution program and Car Seat Checks. The distribution program provides seats to low-income families living in Washington County for a donation of $10, which is used to purchase additional seats. The participants make an appointment where they are shown the parts of the seat, why it is important to use the seat correctly, and how to use it correctly. The participants demonstrate that they understand by installing the seat before they leave the appointment. Car Seat Checks are community events where participants can drive right up and have a seat that they already own checked. The seats are checked for recalls and misuse. If the seat is found to be unsafe to use, a new seat is provided for a small donation. Before the participant leaves the check, all corrections should be made and they should install the seat correctly before leaving.

The goal of this program is to increase the proper usage of child safety seats in Washington County, NY.

Between the distribution program and the car seat checks, we provide approximately 300 families with instruction on proper use of car seats. Since the beginning of the car seat program in 1996, injuries due to motor vehicle crashes among children under the age of five has decreased by 30% in Washington County.