Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of injury and fatality for children. Ensuring your child is properly secured in a car seat is not just a recommendation, it’s a critical safety measure. For families in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, accessing resources and support for car seat safety is readily available, especially through the Free Car Seat Program Milwaukee Wi offers.
Road injuries are tragically the number one cause of unintentional deaths among children in the United States. Between 2021 and 2022, Children’s Wisconsin emergency departments and urgent care centers treated a staggering 2,284 children for injuries sustained in car crashes. The Children’s Wisconsin car seat program is proactively working to reduce these alarming statistics by providing crucial resources and education to families. As Ashley Mahnke, program manager of the Injury Prevention team at Children’s Wisconsin, emphasizes, “We want to prevent those injuries. We want to either give them a product that they need or help educate families.”
The cornerstone of child car safety is education. The free car seat program Milwaukee WI families can access through Children’s Wisconsin prioritizes empowering caregivers with knowledge. Through this program, parents and families who utilize Children’s Wisconsin primary care providers can receive comprehensive guidance on proper car seat installation and harnessing techniques. Any questions or concerns are addressed by trained professionals, ensuring parents feel confident and informed. Caregivers are given hands-on practice installing car seats and correctly securing a child, reinforcing the learning process through practical application. Recognizing that financial constraints can be a barrier to safety, the clinic also offers discounted car seats to families who qualify, making safety accessible to more families in Milwaukee.
Lisa Schmidt, a daycare infant teacher, personally experienced the benefits of this program. After her niece was involved in a car accident, she learned her seemingly new car seat was no longer safe to use. Acting on a recommendation from the Milwaukee Fire Department, Lisa contacted the Children’s Wisconsin car seat program. She received an appointment quickly and was thoroughly educated on car seat safety by Ashley. “Ashley showed me every detail on it,” Lisa recounts. “She showed me how to put the car seat in a car, and how to keep it safe and tight.” Lisa left her appointment with a high-quality car seat, often referring to it as a “Cadillac of car seats,” for just $20. She was especially grateful for the opportunity to ask questions and learn crucial safety tips, such as the dangers of putting children in car seats while wearing bulky winter coats.
The free car seat program Milwaukee WI offers is part of a broader commitment by Children’s Wisconsin to minimize child injuries related to car travel. These efforts span across various platforms, including car seat clinics, primary care offices, community service initiatives, social work programs, and home visitation programs. The aim is to educate parents on the most current safe practices for traveling with children in cars. Car seat technology and safety research are constantly advancing, leading to updated laws and best practices that may not be widely known by all parents. The program bridges this knowledge gap, ensuring families have access to the latest safety information.
In the previous year alone, the car seat clinic distributed 179 car seats to families within the Children’s Wisconsin network, demonstrating the program’s significant reach and impact. Beyond providing car seats and education, the program also curates and distributes a range of instructional videos and resource materials. These resources are invaluable for families seeking to expand their knowledge of car seat safety at their own pace.
Often, the free car seat program Milwaukee WI provides is more than just car seats; it serves as a vital link to additional support for families. Ashley explains that conversations with families often reveal other needs, allowing the program to connect them with the community connector program and other beneficial resources within Children’s Wisconsin and the wider Milwaukee community. This holistic approach ensures that families receive comprehensive support beyond just car seat safety.
Lisa’s experience underscores the profound impact of the program. “I kid you not—I’m so glad I went,” she affirms. “I feel like I’m a teacher now of car seats.” Empowered by her newfound knowledge, Lisa has shared her learnings with her niece and even disseminated resources at her daycare, extending the program’s reach to benefit even more families in Milwaukee.
For those interested in participating in this valuable free car seat program Milwaukee WI provides, Children’s Wisconsin patients and families can easily schedule an appointment online (both in-person and virtual options are available). Appointments are typically held on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be booked through the online sign-up portal or by calling (414) 607-5280. Furthermore, a wealth of car safety resources, including car seat resource sheets and instructional videos, are accessible online to everyone, regardless of program participation. Take advantage of these valuable resources to ensure your child’s safety on every journey.
