May Is Child Passenger Safety Technician Month. This Is What It Means to Me.

May is Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) Month, and I’d like to share how much being a CPST means to me. Growing up in rural Oklahoma, I didn’t think much about traffic safety until I had the opportunity to get involved as the Injury Prevention Coordinator at my tribe, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

After becoming a CPST in 2012, I quickly understood that this was more than just a skill I trained for. It was a conduit to reach families where they are and to empower caregivers to transport their children in the safest way possible.

From that point on, working in communities has been my passion and has allowed me to interact with so many wonderful caregivers and children. Peace of mind is rare, but this certification has afforded me the opportunity to provide families with the knowledge that their kids are in the right child safety seat and that it is correctly installed. I am forever grateful to work within communities and help make an impact.

Motor vehicle crashes are the second-leading cause of death for children ages 4 to 10. But properly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71%.

I consider the knowledge and experience gained as a CPST Instructor an honor and a responsibility. I plan to share that knowledge, foster new advocates, and provide resources across the country. We can all make a big difference in the lives of children and caregivers if we share our joy for safety.

Nearly 1,500 new CPSTS were certified in May 2024, an all-time high. More than 10,800 were certified throughout the year in 873 Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification Courses.

Let’s celebrate this month by encouraging more people to become a CPST or host a course in their community.

You can find a course near you at https://cert.safekids.org/