OCALA, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health in Marion County will be re-starting its car seat classes starting in July. The classes are meant to help families who need a car seat receive one, whether it’s because their current one is damaged or expired or because they cannot afford to purchase a new one. Participants must be receiving some type of aid, cash assistance, WIC, SNAP or Medicaid to attend and receive a car seat.

Class attendees will learn about car passenger safety issues, such as the physical impact of car crashes, choosing the right car seat and the proper ways to install car seats. At the end of the class, participants will apply their learned knowledge to install the new car seat in their car. A certified technician will be present to ensure the car seat is correctly installed.

Classes will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the Department of Health in Marion County’s Auditorium (1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala). Class dates for 2021 are: July 15, Aug. 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16. Attendees must pre-register. To attend an upcoming car seat class, call 352-644-2751.

Car seat checks available

The Department of Health in Marion County offers appointments to anyone who would like to have their car seat checked for proper installation. At the appointment, residents meet one-on-one with a certified child passenger safety technician. The technician works to ensure that the child is buckled correctly into the right car seat for the child’s size and age. Caregivers will leave knowing how to properly install their car seat in the correct position for their car. 

To schedule a car seat check appointment, call 352-644-2751. Appointments can be made for anytime Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the department’s main office in Ocala (1801 SE 32nd Ave.)

Find out more

Visit https://marion.floridahealth.gov and follow the Department of Health in Marion County on Twitter at @FLHealthMarion for the latest information on Department of Health in Marion County activities.