Lancaster General Health is the lead agency for Safe Kids Lancaster County. We are a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global organization dedicated to preventing injuries in children—the number one killer of kids in the United States.
Based on the needs of our community, our local coalition, including volunteers from all sectors of the community, provides education and resources for families that focus primarily on farm safety and child passenger safety. We strive to help people understand the importance of making safe, healthy choices from an early age. Check out the Parent's Guide to Child Safety.
Free Car Seat Safety Checks
Road injuries are the leading cause of unintentional deaths of children in the United States. Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent.
Certified technicians can help you learn how to correctly install your car seat for FREE. View the Safe Kids Lancaster County Car Seat Check Locations to find the closest location to you.
To prepare for your seat check appointment, please remember the following:
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Allow 30 minutes for your appointment. More time may be needed for multiple car seats.
- Bring your car seat manual(s)
- Bring your vehicle manual
- Clear out your back seat(s)
- Wear comfortable clothing for installing the seat(s)
Safe Ride Program
Are you or someone you know in need of a car seat but are facing financial limitations?
Local community partners currently accept referrals from healthcare agencies, social service agencies and other income-eligible programs to distribute no cost car seats to families. Please see below for important eligibility requirements:
- Interested families must be participating in an income-eligible program (i.e., CAP, WIC, Medicaid, Free/Reduced Lunch Program, etc) to determine financial eligibility.
- The application for a seat [download the application] must be completed and submitted by a representative from the income-eligible program. Applications submitted directly from families will not be accepted.
- In order to receive a seat, a 30-60 minute installation appointment with a certified child passenger safety technician at the distribution site is required.
- Please note that only primary guardians are eligible to receive a car seat through the Safe Ride Program
- There is a limit of one car seat per child per household.
- This service is provided by appointment only.
Following evaluation of eligibility, a representative from the social service agency should submit the completed application to one of the below distribution sites. Please submit the application to the designated person (Child Passenger Safety Technician) assigned to the desired location . The CPST will be in touch with the family to schedule an appointment to (1) how to fit the child in the seat properly and (2) how to install the seat properly. This appointment is required in order to receive a seat.
Distribution Locations
Brickerville Fire Company
Address: 10 Hopeland Rd., Lititz, PA 17543
Contact: Kim Herskowitz
Email: firefighterkim21@gmail.com
Phone: 717-723-8338
Languages Available: English
East Cocalico Police Department
Address: 100 Hill Rd., Denver, PA 17517
Contact: Rachael Odenwalt
Email: OdenwaltR@ectpd.org
Phone: 717-336-1725
Languages Available: English
Lancaster Bureau of Police
Address: 39 W. Chestnut St., Lancaster, PA 17603
Contact: Grace Mentzer
Email: mentzerg@lancasterpolice.com
Phone: 717-735-1795
Languages Available: English, Spanish and Language Line Services available to accommodate other languages
Lancaster Twp Fire Company
Address: 1275 Millersville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603
Contact: Jen Slover, Morgan Haines
Email: jennifer.slover@ltfd.org; morgan.haines@ltfd.org
Phone: NA
Languages Available: English
Manheim Township Police Department
Address: 1825 Municipal Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601
Contact: Mark Shivers
Email: ShiversM@manheimtownshippolice.org
Phone: 717-569-6401
Languages Available: English, Spanish
Susquehanna Regional Police Department
Address: 188 Rock Point Rd., Marietta, PA 17547
Contact: Det. Laurel Bair
Email: bairl@srpd27.com
Phone: 717-426-1164
Languages Available: English, Spanish
West Lampeter Police Department
Address: 852 Village Rd., Lancaster, PA 17602
Contact: LeAnn Supeck
Email: lsupeck@westlampeterpolice.com
Phone: 717-464-2421
Languages Available: English
Available seats are dependent on grant funding and manufacturer donations.
For more information, contact the Safe Ride Program Coordinator at 717-544-3807 or Lindsay Pringle.
Top Tips about Car Seat Safety
Source: Safe Kids Worldwide
- Buying the right car seat. Your baby needs to ride in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible until 2 or more years. When your child has outgrown that seat, you are ready for a forward-facing car seat.
- Do not buy a used car seat. There's no way to be sure that a used car seat from a stranger is safe. A used car seat is unsafe if it has been in a crash or if it is missing parts, labels or instructions. A car seat is also unsafe if the manufacturer has issued a safety recall and seat has not been fixed.
- Check out the Ultimate Car Seat Guide for more details on the right car seat for your child.
- Installing your car seat. You'll need to decide on using either the seat belt or lower anchors to secure your car seat. Both are safe, but don’t use them both at the same time. Once your child is forward facing, it is important to use the tether with the seat belt or lower anchors. Get more details about installing your car seat from Safe Kids Worldwide.
- Getting the right fit. A properly-fitted harness gives the best possible protection for your child. Read more about properly fitting your child at every age.
- When to change your car seat. Look on the car seat label to make sure your child is still within the weight, height and age limits for that seat. Get details about when to change your car seat.
- Watch-out for counterfeit products. Be sure to do your research on products and watch out for “too-good-to-be-true” product prices and deals. Many third-party manufacturers and sellers claim to be selling the real thing. In reality, they are selling defective knock-offs, which have not been tested or regulated.”
Learn more car seat safety tips to protect your child.
Car Seat Installation Videos
Below are helpful links to videos by Safe Kids Worldwide on fitting and installing your car seat. Please note, it is important to read your car seat manual and vehicle manual for guidance on your specific seat and car. For questions, please schedule an appointment at one of our Car Seat Check locations to speak to a certified child passenger safety technician.
Additional Resources:
Lancaster County Safe Firearm Storage Initiative
In partnership with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and Mental Health America Lancaster County, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is proud to announce our new “Safe Firearm Storage” Initiative, effective July 2024.
Together, partners aim to provide gun locks and gun safes to those with a firearm in the home. The initiative will focus on the following:
- Children & Adolescent Firearm Safety: Ensuring a safe environment for children with cutting-edge locking mechanisms and educational resources.
- Suicide Prevention: Offering crucial tools and resources to reduce the risk of firearm-related suicides.
- Veteran Firearm Safety: Supporting our heroes with specialized safety measures designed for their unique needs.
Join us in making responsible gun ownership and safety a priority.
For more information on safe storage, our schedule of upcoming in-person classes and free safety firearm safety devices, visit Gun Lock Project - MHA Lancaster Site.
This project was funded by the PA Department of Health’s Preventative Health and Health Services Block Grant.
Farm and Family Safety Day Events
Each year, Safe Kids Lancaster County and Lancaster General Health host FREE Farm and Family Safety Days to help prevent and reduce the number of farm-related injuries.
Families are encouraged to attend the event, where community partners teach practical safety measures that can be used on the farm and at home. Presentations are geared to all age levels, and attendees rotate through interactive educational stations to learn about safety topics.
For details regarding our next Farm and Family Safety Day, please click here: Farm and Family Safety Day flyer or call 717-544-3807.