HSHS Offers Free Car Seat Inspections

HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital will host a free car seat safety check on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Women and Children’s Clinic parking garage at 400 N. 9th St.

Certified child passenger safety technicians will work with parents and guardians to confirm proper installation of car seats and booster seats and to answer safety questions. Illinois law requires all children under 8 years old to be secured in an appropriate child safety restraint system, which may include a rear-facing seat, forward-facing seat, or booster seat used with a lap/shoulder belt.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, correct use of child safety restraints significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death in a crash. In 2023, of the 3,884 children younger than 15 involved in fatal vehicle accidents, 86% of those who survived had been properly restrained.

Experts recommend that children remain in rear-facing car seats until at least age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight limit set by the manufacturer. Forward-facing seats with harnesses should then be used until the child outgrows them, followed by a booster seat until the seat belt fits properly, typically when a child is 4 feet 9 inches tall.

Regular checks help ensure seats are adjusted for a child’s current size and meet safety standards. Misuse—such as loose harness straps, incorrect recline angles, or improper seat belt routing—is common, even among experienced caregivers. Safety inspections, like the one offered at St. John’s, can identify and correct these issues on the spot.

More information on car seat safety resources, including year-round fitting stations in Springfield, is available at hshs.org/st-johns/services/pregnancy-and-birth/car-seat-safety. Details about HSHS St. John’s Hospital can be found at st-johns.org.