September 21–27 is Child Passenger Safety Week, and the Monterey County Health Department’s Public Health Bureau is teaming up with law enforcement and community organizations to remind parents and caregivers about the importance of choosing and installing the correct car seat for their child.
“Every child deserves to travel safely,” said Monica Corral, Monterey County Car Seat Program Specialist. “We encourage parents and caregivers to make sure children are in the right seats and that those seats are installed correctly. Keeping a child in the right seat for their age and size can make all the difference in a crash.”
Why the Right Car Seat Matters
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
- Nearly 46% of car seats are used incorrectly.
- Correctly installed car seats can reduce fatal injuries by 71% for infants under 1 year old and by 54% for toddlers ages 1–4.
California Car Seat Laws at a Glance
- Children under age 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh 40+ pounds or are 40+ inches tall.
- Children under age 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.
- Children age 8 or older, or who are at least 4’9” tall, may use a seat belt if it fits properly: the lap belt rests low on the hips and the shoulder belt crosses the chest—not the neck or face.
Experts encourage families to keep kids in rear- or forward-facing seats as long as possible before transitioning to boosters or seat belts. Parents can also use the “Five-Step Test” to determine if their child is ready for an adult seat belt without a booster.
Free Car Seat Inspections
Parents and caregivers can schedule a free car seat inspection through their local California Highway Patrol Area Office or the County of Monterey Car Seat Program. In Salinas, you can have your car seat inspected by California Highway Patrol. In Pacific grove, you can contact the Pacific Grove Police Department. Both sites offer appointments for inspections by calling their respective office.
For more resources on car seat safety and traffic safety, visit GoSafelyCA.org.
This program is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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