Delta Health System launches Safe Riders Magnolia Car Seat Program

 

Delta Health System has launched the Safe Riders Magnolia Car Seat Program, which is a Mississippi State Department of Health initiative dedicated to promoting child passenger safety in the community. As part of this program, Delta Health System has become a certified child passenger safety site, with two Delta Health System staff members recently certified as Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technicians.

The Safe Riders Magnolia Car Seat Program will offer parents and caregivers the resources and expertise needed to ensure the proper installation and use of car seats for their children, helping to prevent injuries and save lives.

“As a proud collaborator of the Mississippi Department of Health’s Safe Riders Program, Delta Health System is committed to supporting initiatives that prioritize the safety and well-being of our community. This initiative ensures that families have access to essential car seat safety education and resources. Our role as a site for this program reinforces our mission to promote health and safety across the Delta region, and we are honored to be part of an effort that directly saves lives and protects our youngest passengers. Delta Health System has always taken pride in delivering programs and services to the community that are extensions of our mission,” said Iris Stacker, Delta Health System Chief Executive Officer. “I am proud of the two team members who took the initiative to become certified technicians with the sole mission of educating parents and caregivers on car seat safety which potentially can save lives.”

Stacker says that key features of the Safe Riders Magnolia Car Seat Program include:

• Certified Technicians: Tawanda Hurt and Rhonda Johnson have undergone extensive training and certification as CPS Technicians. They will provide professional guidance and hands-on car seat installation assistance to parents and caregivers.

• Car Seat Check Events: The program will host regular car seat check events, where caregivers can have their child car seats inspected by certified technicians to ensure they are installed correctly and meet safety standards.

• Education and Support: Caregivers will receive personalized instructions on car seat safety, including proper seat selection based on the child’s age, weight, and height, and how to adjust and secure seats to protect children in the event of an accident.

• Community Impact: By becoming a designated child passenger safety site, Delta Health System is expanding its role in safeguarding the youngest members of the community and raising awareness of car seat safety.

“The Safe Riders Program is a great opportunity for me to provide education and resources to the community for the safety and well-being of children and families,” said Tawanda Hurt, community out-reach specialist, Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Project.

Program officials say that car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death among children, and studies show that many car seats are installed incorrectly or used improperly. The Safe Riders Magnolia Car Seat Program aims to reduce these risks by empowering families with the knowledge and support they need to keep their children safe.

“I have always been a big advocate for the safety of babies and children and feel it is so important that they are put in car seats correctly. Education is so important to the parents and guardians, so it is vital that they learn properly for the lives of their children,” said Rhonda Johnson, Registered Nurse.