If you are pregnant or the parent / guardian of an infant, toddler, or young child, the Health Department can provide a safe, new car seat or booster seat at low cost.

Eligibility is based on financial need.

• 1. Call 726-1731 ext. 242 and make an appointment to bring your child to the Inverness office of the Health Department to attend a short car seat safety class.
• 2. Safety seats are provided at the class, where you will learn how to use and install the appropriate car seat or booster for your child.
• 3. The program provides only one safety seat per child.
  The Health Department also offers car seat check ups by appointment at the Inverness office.

A certified child passenger safety technician will check your child's car seat for any current recalls, adjustments needed for safety and secure installation. Allow 20 minutes per car seat.

As of September, I am providing the Evenflo Triumph 65 convertible car seat for most children. I do have booster seats for the big kids who outgrow a car seat, but I no longer provide an infant-only carrier type car seat.

Although the infant carrier may be convenient for 3 or 4 months, they are really heavy to carry once the baby weighs about 15 pounds. Most of the infant seats can only be used up to 22 pounds, and most babies outgrow the infant seat by 9 months or less.

The new distribution seat is a really good option as it is used both rear facing and forward facing.  It comes with an infant insert to make a safe, comfortable fit for newborns. As a rear facing seat, it is used  from 5 pounds to 40 pounds, which allows kids to ride rear facing to age 2 which is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

As a forward facing toddler seat, it is used up to 65 pounds.  It has harness straps that slide up and down for adjustment and do not need rethreading when the child grows. There are also 3 recline positions.   The cost for the class including the seat is still $20 and is by appointment.