Free Child Car Seat Inspection Event Held In The Bay Area

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Certified inspectors will be on hand Monday at a free event in San Mateo County to help attendees inspect and install car seats.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office wants to help parents and caregivers ensure their child's car seats are properly installed as part of Child Passenger Safety Week.

“We are proud to support families by providing them with information and tools to keep our most precious passengers safe on the road,” said Sheriff Christina Corpus. “Ensuring children are in the right seat for their age and size, and making sure car seats are properly installed to keep them safe.”

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 690 Broadway in Redwood City.

Inspectors will help make sure caregivers are using correct car seats, booster seats and properly fitted seat belts.

Properly installed car seats significantly reduce fatal injuries in crashes, with a 71 percent reduction for infants under one year old and a 54 percent reduction for toddlers aged 1 to 4, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

California law mandates rear-facing car seats for children under 2, unless they exceed 40 pounds or 40 inches. Children under 8, regardless of height or weight, must use a car or booster seat in the back. Children 8 and older, or at least 4 foot 9 inches, may use a booster but must at minimum wear a seat belt.

In addition to Monday's event, the Sheriff’s Office provides free car seat inspections year-round throughout San Mateo County. Appointments are scheduled through the Sheriff’s Office website.