With so many kinds of vehicles and safety seat models on the market, it’s easy to understand why installing and using car seats properly is complicated. That's why free Car Seat Fitting Stations are available. When you go to a car seat check, a technician will work with you to show you the best way to install and correctly use your child safety seat.
Free Car Seat Fitting Stations are held periodically in most areas. They are usually scheduled at convenient times and locations and are free. Some are on evenings or weekends, and they are often held at car dealerships or in store parking lots. At some checkpoints, car seats may be available for a small donation. If you can’t come to a car seat check, you may be able to contact a child passenger safety technician by telephone (and sometimes e-mail) with your questions. Check this NHTSA web site to locate a car seat fitting station or a technician near you.
Every maker knows the best way to install their own car seats. Always carefully read your car seat’s instruction manual plus your vehicle owner's manual. Bring both with you when you go to a checkpoint, as well as your child to learn the best way to restrain her.
Changing seats as your child grows
You often first learn about safety seats when you bring your infant home from the hospital. Most hospitals require babies to go home in one. When your baby outgrows her rear-facing infant seat she will need to switch to a convertible and/or forward-facing seat and finally, to a belt-positioning booster.
Read your vehicle owner's and new car seat instruction manual each time your child moves to a different type of seat and consider attending a car seat check each time you make a change. You can keep up with the latest news by checking websites that provide the most up-to-date information on child passenger safety.
To find a safety checkpoint, check our links below or call your local police or fire department's non-emergency numbers, your hospital, or your state highway department to find free checkpoints in your area.
Find a car seat fitting station
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is the lead organization for the regional SAFE KIDS Coalition. The SAFE KIDS Coalition of Southeastern Pennsylvania, part of Safe Kids Worldwide, covers Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties.
Southeastern PA SAFE KIDS Coalition
Gina Duchossois
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
34th and Civic Center Boulevard
3535 Market Street, Room 961
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-590-5437
Fax: 215-590-0101
E-mail: duchossois@email.chop.edu
New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety
Other parts of the country- SAFEKIDS USA
- SeatCheck.org
- Call: 1-866-SEAT-CHECK (1-866-732-8243)