Car Seat Safety

Parents are required to securely install a child passenger restraint system, or car seat, that is appropriate for the newborn's size and weight prior to transporting the infant from the hospital. It is Starr Regional Medical Center's policy that newborns will not be discharged without an available car seat. The use of a child passenger restraint system in all motor vehicles is required by Tennessee law.

According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO): "Children under one (1) year of age, or any child, weighing twenty (20) pounds or less, must be secured in a child passenger restraint system in a rear facing position, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards, in a rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. (Note: If the child safety seat has a higher rear-facing weight rating, usually 30 or 35 pounds, it may be continued to be used in a rear-facing position so long as the child's weight permits. Check the manufacturers instructions accompanying the child safety seat for more information.)"

Child Passenger Safety Fitting Stations are available in our community to help you install and use your child's car seat properly, locations include the McMinn County Health Department, Athens Police Department, City of Etowah Fire Department and Etowah Fire and Rescue. Use the link below to access a complete list of CPS fitting stations and contact information.

Child Passenger Safety Fitting Stations

THSO Car Seat Checklist

Additional Information on Child Passenger Safety

As children grow, how they sit safely in a car, truck, van or SUV changes. For maximum child passenger safety, parents and caregivers simply need to remember and follow these steps:

Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, then choose a seat that fits in your vehicle, and use it every time.
Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions (check height and weight limits) and read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or lower anchors and a tether, if available.
To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

Use rear-facing infant seats in the back seat from birth to at least 1 year and at least 20 pounds.
Use forward-facing toddler seats in the back seat from age 1 and 20 pounds to about age 4 and 40 pounds.
Use booster seats in the back seat from about age 4 to at least age 8 unless the child is 4'9" or taller.
Use safety belts in the back seat at age 8 or older or when the child is taller than 4'9".
All children younger than age 13 should ride in the back seat.

Some parents or caregivers may regard booster seats as a hassle to use or difficult to convince their children to use. But protecting the ones you love means getting past the temporary complaints and perceived hassles. Use a booster seat because you love them.

Learn more about proper child passenger safety seats.