Buckle Up

for Life

Buckle Up for life began in Bristol in 2013 headed up by Samuel Jones, who is able to provide car seat safety checks, installations and trainings.

About

Research by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center – a national leader in pediatric and adolescent medicine found that in the U.S. only 1 in 4 child car seats are properly installed. Adding to this tragedy is the fact that many of the injuries and deaths are avoidable with the use of proper restraints like child car seats, booster seats, and seat belts. That is why in 2004 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Toyota teamed up to create Buckle Up for Life, a community-based passenger safety education program that educates the families on critical safety behaviors.

How it works

Working with a team of Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) including those from Niswonger Children’s Hospital, Bristol Tennessee Fire Rescue, and Bristol Virginia Fire Departments, Appalachian Promise Alliance offers car seat checks in the Bristol area.

Our CPSTs can provide the following services to those who are interested:

- Car Seat Safety Checks
- Special Needs Car Seat Installation and Education
- Training for use of Car Seats on School Buses
- Training for European Car Seat Installation and Education

In addition, we facilitate programming for children, teens, and adults on seat belt safety, and distracted driving. We offer CarFit event coordination to help the elderly find the right fit for their vehicle including showing them mirrors and steering wheel adjustments for optimal driving conditions.

Buckle Up for Life_How it works_Potential

Samuel Jones

Car Seat Safety Technician

Samuel Jones began volunteering with Appalachian Promise Alliance in April of 2015 with the Buckle Up for Life Program. Samuel brought Buckle Up for Life to Bristol, in 2014 shortly after becoming a Child Passenger Safety Technician. Samuel is also certified as a Special Needs Car Seat Tech, School Bus Car Seat, and a European Car Seat Safety Tech.

After joining Appalachian Promise Alliance, Samuel become certified in other Vehicle/Traffic Safety related fields, becoming a Car Fit Event Coordinator, AARP Driver’s Safety Course Instructor for Virginia, and an Operation Lifesaver Authorized Volunteer.

Samuel has been recognized for his work with the Buckle Up for Life program being named the 2017-2018 Coordinator of Year by National Buckle Up for Life. Samuel also had a feature story in the Bristol Herald Courier when he received the award and has since received recognition as an honorary Tennesseean from Governor Bill Lee and an honorary Kentucky Colonel.

Request for More Information

Learn more about Buckle Up for Life by filling out this contact form or contacting Appalachian Promise Alliance at 423-444-0622