Published June 26, 2026
A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and instructor, Vergara oversees the hospital’s car seat distribution program. She also helps ensure that families with newborns receive guidance from certified CPSTs on properly installing infant car seats before leaving the hospital.
“I stepped into this role after my own kids were already out of the car seat stage—and I can see now that I made plenty of mistakes,” she said. “It really showed me that most parents aren’t doing anything wrong on purpose—we all want our kids to be safe, we just may not have all the information.”
What do you do as a Child Passenger Safety Technician?
My main role as a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) is helping families learn how to properly install and use their car seats—whether that’s talking them through it or showing them hands-on.
Our hospital now has more than 30 certified CPSTs, and we do our best to provide support whenever we can, especially at discharge. We also have an internal program that provides car seats for families with limited resources or for those whose medical needs mean a standard car seat isn’t a good fit.
What are common mistakes families make regarding car seats?
Some of the most common misuses include using both the seat belt and lower anchors when only one is allowed, routing the seat belt through the incorrect path, and not using the top tether for forward-facing seats. These errors are not intentional—car seats can be complex, and caregivers are doing their best to use them correctly.
The Ultimate Car Seat Guide from Safe Kids Worldwide
What are counterfeit car seats, and why are they a safety concern?
Counterfeit car seats are fake products made to look like legitimate brands, but they haven’t passed required Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) crash testing—basically, they’re knockoffs. These seats are a serious safety concern because they may not protect a child in a crash, increasing the risk of severe injury.
How to identify counterfeit car seats
What advice do you have for families who want to save money on a car seat without compromising safety?
With the economy being tough, I understand why some families may keep or accept an expired car seat—new ones can be expensive. While any seat can feel better than none, it’s worth reaching out to a local Child Passenger Safety Technician for help.
Many communities offer resources, including programs funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, that provide seats for families in need. You may also find free or reduced-cost options locally, and the Safety Store at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital offers discounted, tax-free seats.
The Dangers of Hot Cars
How quickly can a vehicle become dangerous for a child on a warm day?
A car can heat up by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, which can put a child in danger faster than many people realize. Kids don’t cool themselves down as well as adults, so their bodies can be affected by the heat much more quickly.
How do you raise awareness and educate parents and caregivers about the dangers of hot cars?
With help from our marketing team, we created a social media reel showing a real-time look at how quickly a car heats up. Using our hot car display—which tracks both inside and outside temperatures—we captured a short time-lapse that clearly shows how quickly internal temperatures can climb to dangerous levels.
What habits can families build into their daily routines to reduce the risk of hot car tragedies?
- Look before you lock–check back seats and keep vehicle locked so kids do not climb in when you are not around.
- Place a personal item (phone, purse, badge) in the back seat as a reminder.
- Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even for a minute.
How can childcare providers, schools, and family members–or even technology–help create a safety net to prevent these incidents?
Create a plan with your school, daycare, and family to call if a child has not arrived at their usual time. A change in routine is a major cause of vehicular heatstroke deaths—not the usual parent doing drop off. Make sure you have multiple contact numbers as backup.
There is also technology built into some car seats that can alert you if a child is buckled (usually an app), helping prevent you from accidentally walking away.
Has there been a particular experience that reinforced why your child safety work matters?
It’s hard to point to just one moment—every experience reminds me why this work matters. Whether it’s helping a family with limited resources get a car seat at the hospital, providing education at community events, or supporting families with children who have behavioral needs by finding a seat that keeps them safe the whole ride—each interaction is meaningful. I’m grateful to be even a small resource for families in our community.
Some resources
Child passenger safety | Stead Family Children’s Hospital
How to identify counterfeit car seats | Stead Family Children’s Hospital