Louisville Metro Health Department Car Seat Program

Car Seats are distributed to Metro Louisville residents through a program at the Louisville Metro Health Department. These seats meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. They are distributed by trained professionals who provide education on the proper use of the seats. 

• The program has a Convertible type seat:  – for children weighting 5 to 40 pounds (generally from birth to about 4 years old). 
• Participants must meet the WIC income guidelines, live in Jefferson County and attend a training class that last about an hour and a half to be eligible for a seat. 
• There is a $15.00 fee for the seat.
• This is a loan program and seats are to be returned to the Health Department when the child has outgrown the seat.
• Appointments are necessary, to make sure a car seat is available, a class facilitator is available and there is space in a class.  If a woman is pregnant, an appointment for a car seat class can be scheduled no sooner than a month before her due date.   It is best to call about 6 to 8 weeks before her due date to schedule and appointment.
• Call the car seat program number 574-6437 to assess eligibility and to make an appointment for a class.
• Donna Duncan is the contact person for this program and can be reached by calling 574 – 6437.

Tips for safe use of our Convertible Car Seat:

Children must be in a car seat with harnesses straps until they are 40 pounds.

Weight and height – Seat will hold a child from 5 pounds to 40 pounds.  Child has out grown seat when top of ears are at top of seat or child weights 40 pounds.  Booster seat after they out grow car seat.

Rear Facing until 1 year of age and 20 pounds.  A child younger than one year old does not have neck muscles strong enough to withstand a crash in a forward facing position.  In most convertible seats a child can sit rear facing up to 30 pounds.

Kickstand – rear facing – toward the front of car seat; forward facing – toward the back of car seat.
 
Cover – Washable, Line – Fluff dry (no heat). Straps are not machine washable. 

Padding - No extra padding between child and seat. No coats on child when buckled in seat.

Harness Straps – Always keep snug so no more than one finger fits under strap at the child’s shoulder. Place one finger on child’s shoulder bone or collar bone and tighten strap against your finger.
Straps Rear facing - One finger tight between child’s shoulder and strap.  Placed even with or below
the shoulders. 
Straps – Forward facing – Placed even with or above the shoulder.  Tight enough so straps stay on shoulders.  One finger between child’s shoulder and strap.  If you can pinch webbing together an inch, strap is to loose.
Plastic Harness Clip – Fasten harness clip across chest at armpit level. Chest clip hold straps on shoulder.

Placement of child – In proper restraint.  Never in front seat, in your arms, or in seat belt with you. In rear-facing position seat is at a 45-degree angle.  If seat is to upright in rear facing position and child’s chin drops to the chest, child could choke.

Installing Seat – When properly installed, seat should not move side to side or back and forth more than one inch. 

For questions about the car seat program or to assess eligibility and make an appointment for a class to get a car seat call 574-6437

For additional information about Child Passenger Safety contact Kosair Safe Kids Program at 629-7335, 629-7337 or 629-7346.