Car accidents are a frightening reality, especially for parents. Lisa Schmidt’s family experienced this firsthand when her niece was in a single-car accident. Thankfully, her 3-year-old wasn’t in the vehicle, but the crash revealed a surprising fact: even a seemingly new car seat can become unusable after an accident. This led Lisa to discover the Free Car Seat Program Wisconsin residents can access through Children’s Wisconsin, a resource that proved invaluable for her family and highlighted the critical importance of child passenger safety.
Road injuries are a leading cause of unintentional death and injury for children across the United States. In Wisconsin alone, from 2021 to 2022, over two thousand children sought emergency or urgent care at Children’s Wisconsin facilities due to crash-related injuries. Ashley Mahnke, program manager for the Children’s Wisconsin Injury Prevention team, emphasizes the proactive goal of their car seat program: “We want to prevent those injuries. We want to either give them a product that they need or help educate families.”
Education is the First Step to Car Seat Safety
The cornerstone of the Children’s Wisconsin car seat program is education. For families connected with a Children’s Wisconsin primary care provider, the program offers crucial guidance on proper car seat installation and child harnessing. Parents and caregivers can have all their questions addressed and receive hands-on practice. Furthermore, for families in need, the program provides access to discounted car seats, making child safety more accessible.
Lisa Schmidt’s experience exemplifies the program’s benefits. Following a recommendation from the Milwaukee Fire Department after her niece’s accident, Lisa contacted Children’s Wisconsin. She secured an appointment quickly and received comprehensive, personalized instruction. “Ashley showed me every detail on it,” Lisa recalls. “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 only $20.
“Thank God for the sheriff and fire department,” Lisa gratefully states. “I love that Children’s Wisconsin gave us a new seat.”
Beyond just receiving a discounted car seat, Lisa deeply valued the educational aspect of her appointment. She learned vital safety tips, such as the danger of placing children in car seats while wearing puffy winter coats. She also discovered previously unknown safety features on her new car seat. This valuable information was delivered with compassion and understanding, making Lisa feel supported rather than judged. “I didn’t feel like I was being tested,” she said. “I was learning.”
Connecting Wisconsin Families with Essential Resources
The car seat program is part of a broader initiative by Children’s Wisconsin to minimize child injuries related to car travel. Through various avenues, including the car seat clinic, primary care offices, community services, social work programs, and home visits, they aim to educate parents on the latest car safety best practices. Car seat technology, research, and related laws are constantly evolving, and not all parents may be aware of these critical updates.
Last year alone, the car seat clinic distributed 179 car seats to families within the Children’s Wisconsin network. Beyond providing car seats and education, the program also offers a range of easily accessible resources, such as instructional videos and resource sheets, for families seeking to enhance their car seat safety knowledge.
Often, the Wisconsin free car seat program (or low-cost program) serves as an entry point to connect families with wider support systems. Ashley Mahnke notes that conversations often reveal additional family needs, allowing the program to refer them to community connector programs and other resources within Children’s Wisconsin and their local communities.
Lisa Schmidt highly recommends the program, emphasizing its profound impact on her family and her understanding of car seat safety. “I kid you not — I’m so glad I went,” she exclaims. “I feel like I’m a teacher now of car seats.” Lisa has shared her newfound knowledge with her niece and even brought resources to her daycare to educate other parents.
Accessing Car Seat Assistance in Wisconsin
If you’re in Wisconsin and looking for assistance with car seats, or information about a free car seat program Wisconsin, Children’s Wisconsin is a valuable resource. Patients and families can easily schedule car seat appointments, both in-person and virtual, through their online sign-up portal or by calling (414) 607-5280. Appointments are typically available on Wednesdays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Regardless of appointment status, everyone can benefit from the readily available online car safety resources. Children’s Wisconsin provides car seat resource sheets and instructional videos accessible to all, ensuring that vital car seat safety information is just a click away for Wisconsin families and beyond. Prioritizing child passenger safety is paramount, and programs like this make it easier for parents to protect their little ones on the road.
