Grand Canyon Times

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is offering free car seat stickers to families, aiming to enhance child safety during holiday travel and beyond. The initiative, led by the Arizona Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program, provides these stickers containing vital health and contact information for children.

Data from Arizona’s Child Fatality Review Program Report shows that motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of preventable deaths in 2023, with 81 children losing their lives due to crash-related injuries.

"Every second counts when responding to an emergency. By adding the Emergency Pediatric Information Card (EPIC) Car Seat Stickers to a child’s car seats, parents can provide first responders with essential details about their child, which can make all the difference in an emergency," stated Rachel Zenuk Garcia, Bureau Chief for the ADHS Bureau of EMS and Trauma System.

The stickers are designed for easy application on car seats and include spaces for crucial information such as a child's name, date of birth, emergency contacts, and any medical conditions or allergies. Positioned on the side of the car seat facing the door, they ensure that EMS responders see them immediately when attending to a child.

In emergencies where parents cannot communicate critical information directly, these stickers play a vital role. They help first responders prioritize care based on each child's specific needs.

Additionally, at busy accident scenes, EPIC Car Seat Stickers assist first responders in quickly identifying which patients require urgent attention. This allows efficient allocation of resources and treatment prioritization to ensure optimal outcomes for children involved in accidents.

Available free statewide thanks to various partners, these stickers can be obtained from participating hospitals, fire-rescue agencies, EMS agencies, and state law enforcement offices. For more details or partnership inquiries regarding distribution, individuals can visit the EMS for Children website or reach out to Abriana Smith at [email protected].

This initiative underscores EMSC's dedication to enhancing child safety by equipping first responders with essential information swiftly and effectively.