100 free booster seats available for families
Students walk together to Kirtland Elementary School on Wednesday, Oct. 16, during the National Walk to School Day event. (Alx Lee/Tri-City Record)
Alx Lee
Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives will hold a free child passenger safety event for families across the Navajo Nation at Baca/Dlo’ ay Azhi Community School on April 18 featuring a booster seat giveaway and car seat safety checks.
“Buckle Up Navajo: Protecting Our Children on the Road” will run from 9 a.m. to noon at the school campus at 1571 State Highway 122, I-40 Exit 63 North Frontage Road, in Prewitt, New Mexico.
More than 100 free booster seats will be distributed to eligible families on a first-come, first-served basis, and certified car seat technicians will be on site to provide free inspections and education.
Families can also bring their children in their current car seats for safety checks. To qualify for a free booster seat, children must weigh between 40 and 100 pounds and attend with their guardians. Each eligible child may receive one booster seat, with a limit of three per family.
According to the nonprofit organization, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for young children. Using the correct car seat or booster can reduce the risk of death by up to 71%, and Native children experience higher rates of injury and loss.
“This event reflects our deep commitment to protecting the children and families we serve,” said Robert McDonald III, principal of Baca/Dlo’ ay Azhi Community School. “We are proud to partner with organizations that share our mission to keep our students safe, both in and out of the classroom. Our children are sacred, and their safety is a responsibility we all share.”
The event theme, “Nihaa ałchiní nihił dadiyin – Our children are sacred,” highlights the protection of the youngest members of the community and reflects a partnership with ThinkFirst Navajo, an award-winning injury prevention education program of Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives.
“Through Buckle Up Navajo, we work hand-in-hand with communities to prevent injuries,” said Barbara Crowell Roy, president of Eve’s Fund. “By providing education, resources, and access to life-saving equipment like booster seats and safety helmets, we empower families to make simple choices that save lives.”
The event is supported through grant funding from the Brain Injury Advisory Council, a program of the New Mexico Governor’s Commission on Disability. Certified car seat technicians will be provided by Safer New Mexico Now.
For more information, contact Baca/Dlo’ay Azhi Community School at (505) 972-2769.
What: Buckle Up Navajo – Protecting Our Children on the Road
When: 9 a.m. to noon April 18
Where: Baca/Dlo’ ay Azhi Community School, 1571 New Mexico Highway 122, I-40 Exit 63 North Frontage Road, Prewitt, New Mexico
Details: Free booster seat giveaway and car seat safety checks
Eligibility: Children must weigh 40 to 100 pounds and attend with a guardian. Limit one booster seat per eligible child, up to three per family.
Cost: Free
Information: Baca/Dlo’ ay Azhi Community School, (505) 972-2769
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