Zimmerman Certified as Child Passenger Safety Technician

Taylor Zimmerman, MOT, OTR/L, a pediatric occupational therapist at Jefferson Community Health & Life Sports Medicine and Rehab Services, has been certified as a Child Passenger Safety Technician. She will offer appointments for individual child seat safety inspections. Appointments can be made by calling 402-729-6840.

Zimmerman also attended the Safe Travel for All Children course to serve children with special needs.

“It is so important that children ride as safely as possible. Proper installation and use of safety seats can help to keep our children safe,” Zimmerman said. “Our goal is to help parents make the safest choices for their children.”

Nebraska law states:

• Children ride rear-facing up to age 2 or until they reach the upper weight or height limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer.
• All children up to age 8 must ride correctly secured in a federally approved child safety seat/belt positioning booster.
• Children up to age 8 must ride in the back seat, as long as there is a back seat equipped with a seat belt and not occupied by other children under 8 years of age.
• Children ages 8 to 18 must ride secured in a seat belt or child safety seat (belt positioning booster).

Statistics show that more than half (62 percent) of all car seats inspected by CPST are improperly installed or used, meaning the children who use them are not as safe as they could be. About 25 percent of children are moved from forward-facing car seats to booster seats too soon, and about 90 percent of children using lap-shoulder belts should still be in a forward facing seat or booster seat.

To schedule an appointment to have a seat checked, call JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services at 402-729-6840. It is recommended that the child be present at the time of the inspection. Expectant mothers are welcome!