Programs

Safe Kids Chicago's goal is to reduce preventable injuries in the Chicago area. Our team operates some programs targeting specific risks areas - traffic safety, infant safe sleep and water safety.

Buckle Up Program

The Buckle Up Program provides free and/or low-cost car seats and education about installation and proper usage to families in the Chicago area. Program staff are nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

The Buckle Up Program has four components:

Partner satellite distribution sites network.
Community classes.
Weekly virtual car seat classes. Classes are free of charge and offered in English and Spanish.
Weekly car seat inspection appointments.

The Buckle Up Program has active partnerships with more than 25 local organizations and serves more than 2,000 families per year.

For more information on the Buckle Up Program contact carseats@luriechildrens.org

Infant Safe Sleep

Safe Kids Chicago coordinates a community-based infant safe sleep education and distribution project on the South and West Sides of Chicago. This project utilizes a three-pronged approach which includes safe sleep education to new or expectant parents, crib and sleep safe product distribution and trained community champions.

Individualized education with new or expectant parents through Safe Sleep Showers, parent workshops or a visit from one of our partner home visiting programs. Parents receive a Safe Sleep Kit which includes a safe sleep board book, pacifier, sleep sack and information in English or Spanish. We have distributed more than 2,000 kits since 2020.
Portable crib referral program. Since 2020, the program has provided more than 1,300 free cribs to new and expectant parents in Cook and Lake Counties.

Community champions. Safe Sleep Ambassadors are community residents who receive training in infant safe sleep. After receiving training, Ambassadors reach out to their network and spread the knowledge of safe sleep in a knowledgeable but informal way.

Contact Dominique Johnson at djohnson@luriechildrens.org for more information.

Water Safety Task Force Metro Chicago

Lurie Children’s Hospital and Safe Kids Chicago play a key role in addressing drownings in the Chicago region by leading the Water Safety Task Force Metro Chicago. Task Force members include the Chicago Park District (CPD), Chicago Fire Department Water Rescue Unit, Chicago Public Schools, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management Program, DuPage County Department of Public Health/Protect Swimmers 10M, American Red Cross, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Goldfish Swim Schools, community members, and physicians. The Task Force’s mission is to create a culture of water safety in the Chicago Metro area and reduce drowning deaths and injuries. The group formed in 2018.