Choosing the right car seat for your child and ensuring it’s correctly installed can feel overwhelming. At Akron Children’s Hospital, we understand that child passenger safety is a top priority for parents and caregivers. That’s why we offer a comprehensive car seat program designed to guide you through every step, from selecting the appropriate seat to professional installation checks and even financial assistance for eligible families.
Selecting the Right Car Seat for Your Child
The best car seat is one that fits your child’s age, height, and weight, and is compatible with your vehicle. To simplify this process, Akron Children’s Hospital provides a helpful Car Seat Selector Guide. This guide breaks down car seat types based on your child’s developmental stage, making it easier to determine whether you need an infant car seat, a convertible car seat, or a booster seat. Remember to always check the car seat’s weight and height limits and compare them with your child’s current measurements.
Booster Seat Guidelines for Older Children
As children grow, they eventually transition from car seats to booster seats. Booster seats are crucial for children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seats but are still too small for seat belts alone. Children aged four to eight using booster seats are significantly safer – 45% less likely to sustain serious injuries in a crash compared to those using seat belts alone.
How do you know when your child is ready to move out of a booster seat? Use this checklist:
- Does your child sit with their back fully against the vehicle seat?
- Do their knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat?
- Does the shoulder belt lie correctly across their shoulder, between their neck and arm?
- Is the lap belt positioned low on their hips, touching their thighs?
- Can your child maintain this seated position for the entire trip?
If you answer “no” to any of these questions, your child still needs a booster seat.
The Importance of the Back Seat for Children
For optimal safety, all children under 13 years old should ride in the back seat. Front passenger airbags are designed for adults and can pose a serious risk of injury to children in a crash. The back seat is the safest place for children of this age group.
Professional Car Seat Checks and Installation Assistance
Akron Children’s Hospital offers certified technicians who provide professional car seat checks and installations. These technicians, certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), can ensure your car seat is installed correctly and that you understand how to use it properly.
For appointments at the Akron campus, please call (330) 543-8942. If you are closer to the Beeghly Campus, you can schedule an appointment by calling (330) 729-9254. Safe Kids Summit County also has certified technicians at various car seat inspection stations throughout the county.
Discounted Car Seats for Income-Eligible Families
Akron Children’s Hospital is committed to making car seat safety accessible to all families. Our car seat distribution program offers brand new car seats at a discounted price to income-eligible families. Families receiving government assistance programs such as WIC or Medicaid are typically eligible. This program includes essential education for caregivers on proper car seat usage, including correct seat angle, tightness, and harness adjustments.
To register for the discounted car seat program, call the External Affairs department at 330-543-8942 (Akron) or 330-729-9254 (Mahoning Valley). Be ready to provide your name, phone number, zip code, and your child’s age and weight or due date if you are pregnant. Akron Children’s employees can also purchase seats at cost plus tax; please call extension 38942 for details.
If you have a scheduled car seat appointment, please visit the appropriate campus location:
Akron Campus: 300 Locust Street Suite #160 Akron, OH 44308
Beeghly Campus: 6505 Market Street Building A Boardman, OH 44512
Safe Mobility Project website screenshot, a resource from Akron Children’s Hospital for car seat safety information in multiple languages.
Explore the Safe Mobility Project Website
Managed by Akron Children’s External Affairs department, the Safe Mobility Project website is a valuable online resource. It offers resources to help parents choose the right car seat, learn proper installation techniques, and even schedule car seat checks. The website is available in 7 languages, ensuring accessibility for diverse communities. Beyond car seats, you’ll also find information on bike safety and helmet fitting, as well as resources for teen drivers, including driving laws and safety tips. Parents and teens can even create a Teen Driving Pledge on the site.
For all your car seat safety needs and to learn more about the Akron Children’s Hospital Car Seat Program, please contact us today. Your child’s safety is our priority.
