DEC. 30, 2010 -- The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment is now offering eligible guardians a child safety seat. The safety seats are earned by individuals who complete the department's free educational program, "Parenting 101."

Open to parents, grandparents, foster parents, and other guardians with proof of St. Charles County residency and financial need, the two-hour session will discuss many aspects of infant, child and parent safety. Topics covered include injury prevention, discipline, development, medical care, and more. At the end of the class, participants will receive a brand new Scenera Convertible Child Safety Seat and will be instructed on the proper installation of this life-saving device. Compliant with Missouri state law, this safety seat will fit infants and toddlers weighing 5-40 pounds and those 19-43 inches tall.

Two sessions of Parenting 101 are planned in January at the Department of Community Health's Main Conference Room (1650 Boone's Lick Road, St. Charles). The first, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, will run from 10 a.m. to noon, and the second session will be from 2-4 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 20. Advanced registration is required as class sizes are limited. Interested participants should contact Molly Rollins at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 636-949-7400.

"This is such an important class for parents," said Molly Rollins, community health nurse and health educator. "In addition to discovering ways to become an even better parent, attendees will take home a device that studies prove reduces or prevents injuries when used properly."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, thousands of children are killed or injured in automobile crashes each year - mainly because 3 out of 4 children are not properly secured, or even worse, not restrained at all. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, research shows that proper use of child safety seats will reduce death by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers.

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