INTRODUCING
Montgomery County Car Seat Safety Program
Ensuring your child’s safety on the road starts with the right car seat. The Montgomery County Car Seat Safety Program provides resources for families who need assistance obtaining a car seat and offers free car seat inspections to ensure proper installation. Whether you need a car seat or want to make sure yours is installed correctly, our certified technicians are here to help.
Schedule a Car Seat Fitting with a Certified Technician
According to the National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) dashboard, 64% of car seats are misused, putting children at risk in the event of a crash.
Ensure your child’s car seat is properly installed and meets safety standards with our Car Seat Fitting Station.
At your appointment, a certified technician will:
- Inspect your current car seat to ensure it is installed correctly and safe to use.
- Educate you on common car seat misuses and how to avoid them.
Appointments are available by request. Contact us today to schedule your free car seat check!
Car Seat Distibution Program
Do You Qualify for a Free Car Seat?
Montgomery County is committed to keeping children safe on the road through our Car Seat Distribution Program. This program provides car seats to eligible families who may not be able to afford one otherwise.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, you must:
- Be a Montgomery County resident
- Receive one of the following services:
- WIC
- Medicaid
- Food Stamps (SNAP)
- Public Assistance
- OR meet the income guidelines established by the WIC program
Car Seat Tips & Tricks
Keeping your child safe starts with proper car seat use! From harness placement to installation checks, these quick tips will help ensure your child's seat is secure and correctly fitted. Follow these guidelines to give your little one the best protection on the road.
Harness Straps
Rear-Facing Seats: Straps should be at or below your child’s shoulders. Forward-Facing Seats: Straps should be at or above your child’s shoulders.
Chest Clip
The chest clip should be placed at armpit level, across the center of your child’s sternum.
Pinch Test
After buckling the harness, try to pinch the strap at your child’s shoulders.
- If you can pinch any webbing, the harness is too loose and needs to be tightened.
The Inch Test
Give the car seat a firm tug at the belt path where the seat belt or lower anchor strap goes through.
- A properly installed car seat should not move more than an inch side-to-side or front-to-back.
Meet Our Certified Technician
Cabrina Hadcock – Emergency Preparedness Coordinator & Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician
Cabrina joined the Montgomery County Health Department in March 2023. She became a Certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician in January 2024 and completed the Safe Travels for All Children (STAC) training in June 2024.
As a mother of two, Cabrina is passionate about ensuring children's car seats are installed correctly and that each child is in the appropriate seat for their age, height, and weight. She is dedicated to educating families and caregivers on best practices for child passenger safety.
