One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle. **Massachusetts state law requires that all children under age 8 and less than 57 inches tall be properly fastened and secured in a federally approved car seat or booster seat.** Boston Medical Center (BMC) recognizes and uses the [Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)’s Child Passenger Safety recommendations](https://www.cdc.gov/child-passenger-safety/ "Child Passenger Safety | U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (cdc.gov)"). BMC requires all newborns leaving the hospital have an appropriate car seat prior to discharge home. The Division of Trauma partners with the Public Safety Office to provide child safety seat installation and inspection free of charge. BMC Public Safety officers are trained Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) who have been certified in correct installation of child safety seats and are recertified every two years. CPSTs are trained to: - Install child restraint systems in multiple types of vehicles - Secure children in appropriate child restraint systems - Educate others on how to correctly install child restraint systems in vehicles and how to properly restrain children in motor vehicles - Organize, coordinate, or assist at inspection stations and checkup events If you would like to schedule a car seat installation, please call Public Safety at [617.414.4444](tel:617.414.4444). For more information about this program, please contact the Director of Injury Prevention, Lisa Allee, LICSW, at [617.414.8007](tel:617.414.8007). ## Child Car Seat Safety Resources Explore these sites to see what car seat will be best for you! - [National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Car Seats and Booster Seats: Find the Right Car Seat for Your Child](https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/car-seats-and-booster-seats "Car Seat and Booster Seat Safety, Ratings, and Guidelines | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (nhtsa.gov)") - [SafeKids Worldwide Ultimate Car Seat Guide](https://ucsg.safekids.org/ "The Ultimate Car Seat Guide | Safe Kids Worldwide (safekids.org)") Below are some resources for car seat education and installation outside of BMC. You can also call Boston EMS at [617.343.6891](tel:617.343.6891). - [City of Boston: How to Schedule a Car Seat Check](https://www.boston.gov/departments/emergency-medical-services/how-schedule-car-seat-check "How to Schedule a Car Seat Check | City of Boston (boston.gov)") - [NHTSA: Car Seat Installation Instructions and Inspection Station Finder](https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/car-seats-and-booster-seats#installation-help-inspection "Car Seat Installation Instructions | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (nhtsa.gov)") $(".sidebar").append('
Programs & Services - [Programs for Adults](/programs/adults) - [Programs for Children](/programs/children) - [Services](/services) ');## BMC Podcast: Life-Saving Facts About Car Seat Safety On the BMC Podcast, listen to Lisa Allee, LICSW, BMC Director of Injury Prevention, discuss how correctly installed child seats save lives: