Kohl's Injury Prevention Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Bicycle Safety
 

How do I correctly fit a bicycle helmet?
 

Place the helmet level on the head. It should be snug and cover the forehead. Adjust the helmet straps so when buckled, it cannot move from side to side or back and forth. There should be about one finger width of space between the chin and chin strap.

Child Passenger Safety
 

How do I install my safety seat securely?
 

After you have read the instructions for both the safety seat and the vehicle, either kneel or push down on the safety seat to compress the vehicle seat cushion. Then remove all of the slack from the lap portion of the vehicle seat belt. Check the lap portion of the vehicle seat belt to make sure it stays tight and does not loosen. You should have no more than 1 inch of movement from side to side or towards the front of the vehicle when pulled where the seat belt routes through the seat.

Which is the "best" car seat?
 

No one seat is "safest" or "best." The "best" car seat is one that fits your child's size and weight, and can be installed correctly in your car.

Which car seat fits best in my own vehicle?
 

Unfortunately there is no magic list that tells you what car seats fit best in specific vehicles. When you go to purchase the seat, ask the store manager if you can try a few seats in your car to determine which one fits best.

Who do I contact to get my car seat checked?
 

Locate a certified child passenger safety seat (CPS) technician in your area on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site. The information is also available by telephone on the NHTSA Auto Safety Hot Line at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236), from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Lastly, you may call 1-800-441-1888 to find car seat check up events near you.

When can I turn my baby around to face forward in the car?
 

When he is AT LEAST one year old and 20 pounds, preferably longer. In Sweden, children ride rear-facing until three to five years of age in big seats made to fit larger children. In a crash, an infant's spinal cord may stretch if he is riding facing forward, which could result in serious injury or death. When a baby rides backwards, the entire body — head, neck and torso — is cradled by the back of the safety seat in a frontal crash, which is the most common and severe type of crash.

When is my child ready for a regular seat belt?
 

Keep your child in a car seat for as long as possible. When your child is big enough, make sure the seat belts in your vehicle fit your child correctly. The child must sit all the way back against the vehicle seat. The shoulder belt should lie across the center of the shoulder, not the neck or throat. The lap belt must be low and flat across the hips, not the stomach. The child's knees should bend easily over the edge of the vehicle seat and the child should be able to ride like this for the entire trip.

Can I use a second-hand seat?
 

A new car seat is best. However, if you must get a used seat, shop very carefully. To tell if a used seat is safe, you must be able to answer all of the following questions:

• How old is the seat? Look on the label for the date it was made. If it is more than 10 years old, it should not be used. Some manufacturers recommend that seats only be used for 5-6 years. Check with the manufacturer to find out when the company recommends getting a new seat.

• Was it involved in a crash? A car seat must be replaced after a car crash, even if it looks fine. Do not use a seat if you do not know its full history.

• Does it have the label with the date of manufacture and model number? Without these, you cannot check on recalls.

• Did it come with instructions? You need them to know how to use the car seat. Do not rely on the former owner's directions. Get a copy of the instruction manual from the manufacturer before you use the seat.

• Is the car seat missing parts? Used seats often come without important parts. Check with the manufacturer to make sure you have all the right parts.

Can I use my child safety seat on an airplane?
 

Yes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly recommends using safety seats on airplanes. Babies and children are much better protected during turbulence and in emergency landings when they use child safety seats. Find the wording on the label and in the instruction booklet that says your seat is certified for use in aircraft. Measure your safety seat at its widest point. It should be no wider than 17" or it probably won't fit into a coach-class seat. Since airplanes have no shoulder belts, booster seats can not be used —only infant and forward facing seats can be used. Harnesses and vests are also not permitted.

Has my car seat been recalled?
 

You can find out by calling the car seat manufacturer or the Auto Safety Hot Line at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236), from 8 am to 10 pm ET, Monday through Friday. This information is also available online at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. If the seat has been recalled, be sure to follow instructions to fix it or get the necessary parts. You also may get a registration card for future recall notices from the hotline.

How do I know my car seat has been crash tested?
 

A sticker must be on the seat that states the seat meets current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213 as of the date of publication.

Can I use any type of product that attaches to a seat belt to tighten it for my car seat?
It is not recommended to use or add any product to the car seat or vehicle seat belt system unless it is crash tested. These products, to date, have not been crash tested with vehicle seat belts and child safety seats.

Can I use the Right Fit Adjuster for the seat belt because the shoulder portion of the seat belt cuts into my child's neck?
 

As stated earlier, it is not recommended to add any product to the car seat or vehicle seat belt system. To date, these items are not crash tested to meet FMVSS 213. Also, this product may raise the lap portion of the vehicle seat belt to ride up over the abdomen, exactly where you do NOT want the lap portion of the belt. The lap portion of the seat belt should ride low over the hips, touching the upper thighs.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Car Seat Program
 

Who can obtain a car seat through The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Car Seat Program?
 

Anyone with a child under 40 pounds who cannot afford to buy a car seat any other way.

How do I get a car seat?
 

You must have a written prescription/referral from a health care provider (doctor, nurse, social worker, etc.) stating your need for a car seat and that you cannot afford to buy a car seat any other way. Bring the referral to The Richard D. Wood Pediatric Ambulatory Care Center, Room 5226 and ask for Melissa Pena. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Is there a cost to get a car seat?
 

There is a $20 donation for each seat.

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
 

What is LATCH?
 

A new child safety seat attachment system has been developed to make child safety seat use easier and to improve the safety of the seat. The system is called LATCH and will make correct installation much easier because you will no longer need to use seat belts to secure the car seat.

What is a top tether?

A tether is a strap that hooks the top of the car seat to a special permanent anchor in the vehicle. Most anchors are located on the rear window ledge, the back of the vehicle seat or the floor or ceiling of the vehicle. Tethers give extra protection by keeping the car seat from being thrown forward in a crash.

When do I tether my car seat?
 

Most new car seats that can be used facing forward are required to come equipped with top tethers. There are only a few seats that can be tethered rear-facing. Read your car seat instruction booklet before tethering your seat.

How do I get a tether for my car seat?
 

Tether kits are available for most older car seats. Check with the car seat manufacturer to find out how to get a top tether for your seat. Be sure to install it according to instructions. The tether strap may help make some seats that are difficult to install fit more tightly.

Which cars have a tether anchor point?
 

As of September 2000, all new cars, minivans, and light trucks are required to have upper tether anchors for securing the tops of car seats. Check your vehicle owner's manual to determine if you have tether anchor points. If not, contact your vehicle dealership to  have anchor points installed. Some new vehicles and car seats now have lower anchors and anchor points to secure the car seat. Starting in model year 2002, all new vehicles and new child seats will be equipped with these lower anchors and attachments. Unless both the vehicle and the car seat have this new anchor system, seat belts will still be needed to secure the car seats.

General Safety

How can I join or contact my local SAFE KIDS Coalition?
 

Visit the Safe Kids Worldwide  Web site to find the coalition nearest you. If you are in Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia Counties, Pennsylvania please call 215-590-5437.