- Home
- Departments
- Public Health
- Car Seats
Car Seats
The Lake County Public Health Department has nationally certified technicians who teach parents and caregivers all they can do to prevent unintentional injuries in and around cars.
Call today to schedule an appointment with one of the Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (406) 883-7288
5 Steps to Car Seat Safety
Right Seat. This is an easy one. Check the label on your car seat to make sure it’s appropriate for your child’s age, weight, and height. Like milk, your car seat has an expiration date. Just double check the label on your car seat to make sure it is still safe.
Right Place. Kids are VIPs, just ask them. We know all VIPs ride in the back seat, so keep all children in the back seat until they are 13.
Right Direction. You want to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, usually until around age 2. When he or she outgrows the seat, move your child to a forward-facing car seat. Make sure to attach the top tether after you tighten and lock the seat belt or lower anchors.
Inch Test. Once your car seat is installed, give it a good shake at the base. Can you move it more than an inch side to side or front to back? A properly installed seat will not move more than an inch.
Pinch Test. Make sure the harness is tightly buckled and coming from the correct slots (check car seat manual). Now, with the chest clip placed at armpit level, pinch the strap at your child’s shoulder. If you are unable to pinch any excess webbing, you’re good to go.
Please read the vehicle and car seat instruction manuals to help you with this checklist. If you are having even the slightest problem or have any questions or concerns, there are Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians available to help or even double-check your work, just call (406) 883-7288 to ask a question or schedule an appointment.
The Lake County Public Health Department has a limited number of car seats available to families who are receiving some form of public assistance.
Please call the Lake County Public Health Department at (406) 883-7288 to set up an appointment with one of the Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.
Upon arrival to the fitting station, expect the fitting appointment to last about an hour. The Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician will walk you through the entire install procedure with your new car seat. Under most circumstances, you will be physically installing the seat under the direction of the technician. This provides you the ability to learn the entire process of how to properly install a child safety seat in your vehicle.
The Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians are trained to help teach you all the ins and outs of your car seat. It is often good to stop in for a refresher from time to time as statistics indicate that 3 out of 4 car seats are improperly installed.
Occasionally, we will have special car seat checkup events in Lake County. Please check back often or watch our Facebook page for event dates and times.
Please call the Lake County Public Health Department at (406) 883-7288 to set up an appointment with one of the Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.
NHTSA recommends that car seats be replaced following a moderate or severe crash in order to ensure a continued high level of crash protection for child passengers. Car seats do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor crash.
What defines a minor crash?
A minor crash is one in which ALL of the following apply:
• The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site.
• The vehicle door nearest the car seat was not damaged.
• None of the passengers in the vehicle sustained any injuries in the crash.
• If the vehicle has air bags, the air bags did not deploy during the crash; and
• There is no visible damage to the car seat.
NEVER use a car seat that has been involved in a moderate to severe crash. Always follow manufacturer's instructions.
A car seat is a vital piece of equipment that is designed to save your child’s life. It's important to know the full history of the car seat.
Here are a few things that you must know if your baby is going to use a used car seat:
1. Was the car seat ever involved in a moderate to severe crash?
2. Are all parts intact and in good working order?
3. Does the seat have its instruction book?
4. Can you find the seats labels stating the date of manufacture and its model number?
5. Is the seat recalled? Search for Child Seat Recalls here.
6. Is the seat expired? Car seats typically expire 6 years after their date of manufacture, unless otherwise noted on their labels.
If you are ever in doubt, do not use the car seat. It's not worth the risk.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) has a website called "Find The Right Seat" with tons of information. There is even a handy calculator for you to use.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/right-seat
Please call the Lake County Public Health Department at (406) 883-7288 to set up an appointment with one of the Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.