COUNTYWIDE : New Program Offers Child-Safety Seats

County health officials announced Wednesday that they are starting a new program to help low-income families buy or rent child-safety seats.

The program was prompted by a state law that went into effect Jan. 1, stiffening penalties for those motorists who do not use a safety seat on children under age 4 or who weigh less than 40 pounds.

Violators may now have to pay penalties of up to $100, and the bulk of the fines collected will be given to the counties, officials said. This money is to be used to help families obtain and use safety seats.

The program is designed primarily to aid lower-income families, but the requirements for eligibility have not yet been determined, officials said.

Amy Dale, manager of Orange County’s Childhood Injury Prevention Program, said it is not yet known how much money may be available for the program. Some families may be sold the seats at reduced rates through subcontractors, while others may be loaned or rented the seats, she said.

“We’ll have to decide once we see how much money is available,” Dale said.

Urging the use of child restraints in vehicles, L. Rex Ehling, the county’s public health director, said in a statement that if everyone used safety seats on young children, the number of vehicular deaths in children under age 5 could be halved.

Those seeking information on the program may call Amy Dale at (714) 834-5728.