The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition (FKHSC) recognizes the significance of September in raising awareness about two critical national issues affecting families and children: child passenger safety and diaper need awareness.
Nationally, Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept.15-21. The campaign promotes the proper use of car seats, booster seats and seat belts to protect children on the road. Car accidents are a leading cause of death for children, but many fatalities are preventable with the correct use of child restraints. Detailed checks by safety technicians found that 74% of car seats are either misused or not installed correctly, highlighting a critical need for increased awareness and education.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, up to their car seat’s height or weight limit. To help parents and caregivers navigate the complexities of child passenger safety, FKHSC offers free car seat checks and installations, as well as a donation-based car seat program led by local certified child passenger safety technicians.
September also hosts National Diaper Need Awareness Week Sept. 23-29 to shine a light on a challenge many families face but rarely discuss — the inability to afford enough diapers to keep their babies clean, dry and healthy.
According to the National Diaper Bank Network, one in three families in the United States — and in the Keys — struggles with diaper needs, a situation that can lead to serious health risks for babies and stress for parents. Clean diapers are not just a necessity, but a fundamental aspect of a child’s well-being, contributing to their overall health and development.The impact of diaper needs extends beyond health concerns. Without an adequate supply of diapers, parents are often unable to bring their children to day care, which typically requires a daily supply of clean diapers. This barrier prevents parents from attending work, further creating financial hardships and a cycle of instability that is difficult to break. The simple act of providing diapers can empower parents to secure and maintain employment, supporting their families and contributing to the community’s economic well-being. You can support Keys babies through a monetary donation or by purchasing items from the FKHSC Amazon wishlist.
