McCook, Neb. — Community Hospital Health Foundation recently approved funding for a new car seat demonstration seat to support Community Hospital's child passenger safety education efforts. The addition provides parents and caregivers with a hands-on opportunity to learn proper car seat installation.

Designed to simulate the interior of a vehicle, the demonstration seat allows Child Passenger Safety Technicians to show families exactly how to install a variety of car seats in a realistic setting. The tool helps caregivers better understand proper installation techniques while allowing time for questions and individualized instruction.

"Our team is very excited to have added the new car seat demonstration seat," explained Andie Stang, Community Hospital Car Seat Technician Proxy and Car Seat team lead. " It allows us to show parents and caregivers exactly how to install any type of car seat as if it were inside a real vehicle. It gives families a hands-on learning experience and helps us walk through proper installation step by step."

The addition expands Community Hospital's ability to provide safety education and outreach across the region. By using the demonstration seat, technicians model best practices, address common concerns, and help parents and caregivers feel confident that their children are safely and properly secured in a vehicle.

The Child Passenger Safety program has also grown with the addition of two newly certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians, Michael Carpenter and Ashley Miller. Their certification increases the team’s capacity to provide education, support, and resources to families seeking guidance.

"This addition is an excellent opportunity to expand our outreach, improve safety education, and empower parents with the knowledge they need to keep their children secure on the road," Stang added. 

As Community Hospital continues its commitment to leading the region to a healthier future, the new demonstration seat provides another tool to help families make informed decisions about child passenger safety.  The program helps ensure that parents and caregivers have the knowledge and confidence needed to keep children safe every time they travel.