Healthy Kids, Happy Kids
Car Safety
Safety for Infants and Children
To obtain information on car seat safety, you may call the toll-free Department of Transportation Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-800-424-9393.
Your baby's safety is very important. Accidents are the leading cause of death and serious illness to children. Because of this, we make safety a primary concern.
First, it is the law in Pennsylvania that you seat your child in a car safety seat. You may not even take your child home from the hospital without such a seat. If you do not have an approved safety seat, the nursery will loan you a car seat until you can purchase one. We also have a list of federally-approved car seats, which gives additional information on prices and type of harness.
It is now recommended to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat until 2 years of age or the upper height and weight limit for that car seat as recommended by the manufacturer. A forward-facing car seat is recommended until the upper weight limit of the seat. A booster seat is recommended until the child is 4 feet, 9 inches (8-12 years). It is not recommended that a child under the age of 13 years sit in the front passenger seat.
You should anchor the seat safely, as directed in the car seat's instruction manual. If you cannot do this yourself, have someone help you. A "safe" seat that is not anchored is not safe. Often the local police department will help you properly anchor your car seat.
If your child begins to fight the use of the car seat, check to see that the seat is comfortable for proper use. You should always insist that your child "buckle-up." Of course, set a good example for your child by buckling-up yourself.
In hot weather, make sure that the baby's skin doesn't touch metal buckles or straps in a car seat; they can burn the baby's skin quickly. Even the hot plastic on the car seat can burn your child, unless it is covered with a towel. Never leave a child unattended in a car, especially a hot car in the summer. Heat stroke can occur quickly.
List of Services
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Appearance of NewbornsAppearance of Newborns Appearance of Newborns
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Bathing Your BabyBathing Your Baby Bathing Your Baby
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Bowel Movements in InfantsBowel Movements in Infants Bowel Movements in Infants
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Care of Newborn's PenisCare of Newborn's Penis Care of Newborn's Penis
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Care of Newborn's VaginaCare of Newborn's Vagina Care of Newborn's Vagina
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Care of the Newborn's NavelCare of the Newborn's Navel Care of the Newborn's Navel
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Correcting Sleep Problems in InfantsCorrecting Sleep Problems in Infants Correcting Sleep Problems in Infants
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Cradle Cap (seborrheic dermatitis)Cradle Cap (seborrheic dermatitis) Cradle Cap (seborrheic dermatitis)
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Crying in InfantsCrying in Infants Crying in Infants
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Diaper RashDiaper Rash Diaper Rash
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Fussy Spells in InfantsFussy Spells in Infants Fussy Spells in Infants
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Sleep ProblemsSleep Problems Sleep Problems
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Sneezing, Noisy Breathing, & SpittingSneezing, Noisy Breathing, & Spitting Sneezing, Noisy Breathing, & Spitting
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TeethingTeething Teething