Car Seat Program

ByManny Oliverez

Virginia Department of Health Safety Car Seat Program

Free Car Seats

Are you in need of a child safety car seat or booster and cannot afford to buy one?

The Statewide Safety Seat Program is a statewide child safety distribution and education program offered FREE of charge to eligible families. Safety restraint devices provided include a convertible safety seat with a starting weight of 5 pounds and a belt-positioning booster seat.

Apply now to the Frederick/Winchester Health Department, you may be eligible for a FREE car seat. Seat supplies are limited so don’t wait.

If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible:

  • Live in Virginia (citizenship not required)
  • Custodial parent, legal guardian, or foster parent
  • Child is seven years old or younger
  • Pregnant mother must be in last trimester of pregnancy
  • Income eligible for WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or FAMIS
  • Child must fit within the program’s devices; set by manufacturer’s guidelines.
  • Available to attend a training, to learn how to correctly use and install a safety seat and booster seat
  • Sign a waiver of liability release

Caregivers, if you are unable to afford car seats, reach out today to see if you qualify for a free seat!

Email: ivp@vdh.virginia.gov
Phone: 1-800-732-8333
Website: www.safetyseatva.org
Address:
Frederick/Winchester Health Dept
10 Baker Street
Winchester, VA 22601

Supplies are limited so be sure to apply early.

Child Passenger Safety

Safety car seats properly installed save lives! Get free help with seat installation and use from the Fredrick/Winchester Health Department.

  • Safety seat installation and use errors are common.
  • Get the seat checked by a certified Child Safety Seat technician.

Free seats available to applicable families, first-come first-served

  • Residents of Virginia regardless of citizenship
  • Completion of seat use education
  • Legal parent/guardian or in third trimester
  • Eligible for WIC, Medicaid, TANF, SNAP, FAMIS services

Virginia law requires children be correctly restrained until 18

  • Rear-facing safety seat until age 2 in backseat of vehicle (some exceptions).
  • Safety seat or booster until age 8.
  • Booster seat until ‘fit test’ for seat belt met.