Car accidents are a leading cause of injury for children, but proper car seat installation and usage can significantly reduce these risks. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) understands this critical need and offers comprehensive resources through its Chop Car Seat Program to help parents and caregivers ensure their children are traveling safely.
This program provides vital services, including both in-person and virtual car seat checks conducted by certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians. These checks are designed to educate and empower families with the knowledge and skills necessary for correct car seat installation and harness adjustments. Whether you prefer the convenience of a video call or hands-on assistance at a fitting station, CHOP’s program is accessible to meet your needs.
To find a car seat fitting station outside of the Philadelphia area, resources are available nationally. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Safe Kids USA websites provide searchable databases to locate certified CPS technicians and fitting stations near you. You can access this information online or by calling the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline. Local resources can also be found by contacting your police or fire department’s non-emergency lines, local hospitals, or state highway departments.
Within the Greater Philadelphia region, CHOP’s Injury Prevention Program collaborates with the Safe Kids Southeastern Pennsylvania Coalition to offer car seat checks. This coalition, covering Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, hosts free car seat inspection events open to all parents and caregivers. These events provide a valuable opportunity to have your car seats checked by experts and ask any questions you may have about child passenger safety. A downloadable list of local car seat inspection stations in the Philadelphia area is readily available for those seeking in-person checks.
When attending a car seat check, remember to bring essential items to make the process as efficient and helpful as possible. This includes the vehicle your child will be riding in, the specific car seat you are using, the car seat’s instruction manual, your vehicle owner’s manual, and, if possible, your child. Bringing your child allows technicians to ensure the harness and seat fit are appropriate for your child’s size and stage of development. If you need assistance with multiple children and car seats, bringing everyone ensures proper guidance for each child’s safety.
As your child grows, their car seat needs will change. Starting with rear-facing infant seats, children will progress to convertible or forward-facing seats and eventually to belt-positioning booster seats. Understanding these transitions is crucial for continued safety. CHOP offers resources on car seat safety by age, providing detailed information on each stage. Always consult both your vehicle owner’s manual and your car seat instruction manual whenever transitioning to a different type of seat to ensure correct installation and usage at every stage of your child’s growth.
