Choosing a Car Seat
The best car seat for your child will depend on age, height, and weight. We have compiled a car seat selector guide to make choosing a seat easy.
Installing Your Car Seat
Installation guidelines and videos can be found online by searching your car seat model number (found on a sticker on the side of the seat).
Moving from Booster Seat to Seat Belt
Children ages four to eight who ride in booster seats are 45% less likely to be seriously injured in an accident than those riding with a seatbelt alone. Follow this guide to decide if your child is ready to move out of a booster seat:
- Does your child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
- Do your child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
- Does the seat belt cross your child's shoulder between the neck and arm?
- Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching your child's thighs?
- Can your child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If you answered "NO" to any of these questions, your child should ride in a booster seat. If not, he or she may be ready to ride without a booster.
Riding in the Front Seat
All children under the age of 13 years old should ride in the back seat of the vehicle with a seat belt. Passenger seat airbags are powerful and can cause serious injury to children under age 13.
Professional Seat Checks and Installations
Professional seat checks and installations are offered by NHTSA-certified technicians at Akron Children's Hospital through the External Affairs office. To make an appointment at the Akron campus, call (330) 543-8942. Safe Kids Summit County also has several other car seat inspection stations located throughout the county. For information about seat check and installations at the Beeghly Campus, call (330) 729-9254.
Purchasing a Car Seat at Akron Children's Hospital
Akron Children's Hospital provides brand new car seats at a discounted price to income-eligible families. Families receiving government assistance (e.g. WIC, Medicaid, etc.) are eligible for this discount. Education is provided to caregivers about how to properly use the seat and install it into a vehicle. Program topics include proper seat angle, seat tightness and harness adjustment.
To register for the car seat distribution program, call the External Affairs department at 330-543-8942. In the Mahoning Valley, call 330-729-9254. Please be prepared to provide:
- First and last name
- Phone number
- Zip code
- Age and weight of child, or due date if pregnant
Akron Children's Hospital employees may purchase seats at cost plus tax, please call External Affairs at ext. 38942 for cost and availability.
If you have an upcoming car seat appointment at the Akron campus, our address is as follows:
300 Locust Street Suite #160
Akron, OH 44308
