The National SAFE KIDS Campaign reports that unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 14. Motor vehicle crashes account for nearly 42 percent of all unintentional injury-related deaths. Currently in Colorado, there is a 94 percent car seat misuse rate. A 1999 informal survey in Commerce City, indicated a child safety seat use rate of 50 percent.

The Keep Me Safe (KMS) Program is for all families regardless of age, race, and socio-economic status. It is based in Commerce City, which is a low-income, blue collar, highly transient, and industry-dominated community. There is a large population of agricultural and industrial workers from other countries seeking assistance with car seats and proper installation.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the KMS Program is to reduce the number of unintentional injuries or fatalities to children and adolescents in auto accidents through the use of appropriate, proven restraint systems. Some general objectives include:

• Ensuring correct installation of new car/booster seats and restraint systems;
• Providing classroom presentations and take-home materials on vehicle passenger safety to children and youth at pre-schools, elementary schools, and middle schools;
• Encouraging students to sign a pledge to wear safety belts when traveling in private vehicles; and
• Training new Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians, primarily within Adams County, to increase capacity to provide car/booster seat installations and safety checks.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The KMS Program consisted of the following activities:

• Promoted and hosted car seat checks throughout the metropolitan area at Community Health Services, hospitals, parent groups, and businesses.
• Trained new child passenger safety technicians.
• Promoted the use of car/booster seats and safety belts at events, during car seat safety workshops, in newsletters, and in the media.
• Surveyed parents about the use of proper restraints.
• Presented the “What’s My Size” Program at local pre-schools to educate children and their parents about the importance of booster seats and the new booster seat law.
• Spoke with students in health classes at middle schools in Adams County School District 14 regarding safety belt usage and passenger safety.
• Hosted an annual 32-hour CPS training using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) curriculum for Adams County and the metropolitan area.
• Provided trained technicians to participate in KMS-hosted car seat events.
• Provided candidates for CPS trainings through the Health and Safety Educator, law enforcement agencies, fire protection districts, and EMS agencies.

RESULTS

From September 1, 2002 to January 31, 2003, the KMS Program participated in 25 car seat check-up events where 537 car seats were checked. The KMS Program distributed 54 car seats to families in need and provided nine educational presentations to 120 participants. A 2003 informal survey in Commerce City indicated a child safety seat use of 70 percent, which is a 20 percent increase over the 1999 rate.

The KMS Program works closely with the Spanish-speaking community by distributing flyers and informational handouts on unintentional injury prevention. All information developed in Spanish is shared with other community agencies to assist them with diverse communities