If you are looking for a free car seat program in Florida, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will teach you about car seat safety and why it is important. We will also provide you with alternative ways of finding free car seat programs in Florida. Finally, we will provide you with the car seat law of Florida.
Free car seat programs in Florida (2022)
Florida Farm Bureau
The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is committed to improving the quality of life for farmers in Florida. The Childsource Child Safety Seat program provides members with high-quality car seats at a discounted price, improving the safety of children in the Bureau’s community.
St. Johns County Buckle Up Program
The St. Johns County Buckle Up Program is a great way for parents and legal guardians of children to get discounted car seats. In order to qualify, families must receive assistance from WIC, food stamps, Medicaid, Florida KidCare or Head Start. If you think you might qualify, be sure to call the St. Johns County Tax Collector’s Office at 904.209.2250 x4636.
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County is providing installation training and free education to all the children’s hospitals throughout the Tampa Bay area. They have a professional staff that is certified by the National highway traffic and safety administration. They also provide free seats to families in financial difficulties.
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital offers a free car seat program to families enrolled in government-assisted programs. The car seats are available at a reduced price of $20. To learn more about the program, or to enroll, please call 1-800-756-7233 Ext. 4.
Clay County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office
The Clay County Sheriff’s office can help you get a free car seat for your child. Simply call their Car Seat Hotline at 904.213.5927 and they will be happy to assist you.
Wolfson Children’s Hospital
Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Florida offers a free monthly car seat workshop for those who cannot afford one. To sign up, please call 904.202.4302.
Alternative programs to get a free car seat in Florida
If you’re a parent in Florida, you may be wondering how to get a free car seat. Luckily, there are a few different programs that can help.
Safe Kids Worldwide is an organization that is committed to keeping children safe from injuries. There are over 400 different Safe Kids coalitions throughout the United States. It has partners in 30 different countries to promote safety for children.
If you’re approved, a CPST will deliver a seat to your home or the hospital of your choosing, completely free of charge. Another beneficial resource, some hospitals offer car seats at a significantly reduced price. In order to be discharged from the hospital after having a baby, parents are required to have a car seat readily installed. Your OB/GYN may also have resources to help you find what you need.
Local government departments catering to women and children are an invaluable resource when it comes to things like this. They exist to help women and children get the help they need. Your local Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) office or the Department of Child Services are two of your best options.
“211” is a bit of a hidden gem for anybody struggling out there. Not just with finding an affordable car seat, but other basic needs like food and rent assistance as well. It’s basically a way to find help without making a million phone calls to different departments. This service is run by United Way and it works just like “911” does. When you dial 211, it will connect you to your closest 211 call center.
You can also find solace in your local CPST, or “child passenger safety technician”. These car seat experts are trained by Safe Kids, mentioned above, to help parents and parents-to-be with everything to do with car seats. If you’re struggling to find out where to obtain a car seat on your budget, CPSTs may be your biggest help.
You’ll find that in many places, some police and fire professionals are also certified CPSTs. Even if they aren’t, most police/fire departments have the resources needed to help you find the right place to go.
So, if you’re a parent in Florida wondering how to get a free car seat, there are a few different programs that can help. Safe Kids Worldwide, hospitals, local government departments, and CPSTs are all great resources. And don’t forget about “211” – it’s a great way to find help and resources in your area.
What are the car seat laws in Florida?
In Florida, the car seat law (316.613) states that all children 5 years old or younger must have a proper car seat that is based on their age. All car seats must be crash-tested and approved by the federal government. Children 3 years old or younger need to be in a full car seat, while children 4 and 5 years old need to be in a booster seat. You can read more about Minnesota car seat laws at the following link.
Final Thought
We hope the information we have discussed above was able to help to find free car seat programs in Florida. If you fail to find any free car seat program in Florida, try to reach your nearest police/fire departments, most police/fire departments have the resources needed to help you find free car seat programs if your state has any.
