Protecting kids on the road starts with the right seat and the right fit. Jefferson Community Health & Life offers child passenger safety appointments for car seat checks, including infant car seat and booster seat guidance, to support injury prevention and safer travel for families using our hospital services.
Taylor Zimmerman, MOT, OTR/L, a pediatric occupational therapist at Jefferson Community Health & Life Sports Medicine and Rehab Services, is a certified CPST (Child Passenger Safety Technician). She also attended the Safe Travel for All Children course to better serve children with special needs. She provides one-on-one appointments for child safety seat inspections and education, including help with car seat fit, age/size readiness, and proper use of a toddler car seat (toddler car seat) as your child grows. Appointments can be made by calling 402-729-6840.
Every vehicle and seat combination is different. During your appointment, your CPST will review key installation steps, harness placement, and correct positioning to help ensure your child is secured appropriately—whether rear-facing, forward facing, or transitioning to a booster seat when ready.
Zimmerman also attended the Safe Travel for All Children course to better serve children with special needs.
“It is so important that children ride as safely as possible. Proper installation and use of safety seats can help to keep our children safe,” Zimmerman said. “Our goal is to help parents make the safest choices for their children.”
Nebraska child safety seat law
- Children ride rear-facing up to age 2 or until they reach the upper weight or height limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer.
- All children up to age 8 must ride correctly secured in a federally approved child safety seat/belt positioning booster.
- Children up to age 8 must ride in the back seat, as long as there is a back seat equipped with a seat belt and not occupied by other children under 8 years of age.
- Children ages 8 to 18 must ride secured in a seat belt or child safety seat (belt positioning booster).
Why schedule a car seat check?
Many families are doing their best and still miss small details that can affect safety. Statistics show that more than half (62 percent) of all car seats inspected by a CPST are improperly installed or used. About 25 percent of children are moved from forward facing car seats to a booster seat too soon, and about 90 percent of children using lap-shoulder belts should still be in a forward-facing seat or booster seat.
Schedule an appointment
To schedule an appointment to have a seat checked, call JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services at 402-729-6840. It is recommended that the child be present at the time of the inspection. Expectant mothers are welcome.