Car Seat Check Saturday To Conclude Child Passenger Safety Week

ROHNERT PARK, CA — The latest research shows that 46 percent of car seats are misused by 1) children being in the wrong type of car seat for their age or size, and 2) car seats not being installed improperly — both of which leave children vulnerable to injury in a crash.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children. Sadly, two U.S. children under 13 were killed every day in 2021 while riding in vehicles, and another estimated 318 were injured.

California law requires children under the age of 2, weighing less than 40 pounds or below 40 inches tall, to ride in a rear-facing car seat. All children under the age of 8 must ride in the back seat in an age-appropriate safety seat. Additionally, it is recommended that all children 13 and under should ride in the back seat.

As children get older, parents might get some pushback about their car seat, booster seat or seat belt, but child passenger laws exist for a reason: to save lives.

“Most parents are trying to do their best for their kids," said Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Community Service Officer Ashly Hromek. "So they may be surprised to find out their kids aren’t as safe as possible in their vehicle. We want caregivers to know that it’s worth finding out for sure which car seat is most appropriate and to ensure proper installation.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration partners annually with local communities to hold Child Passenger Safety Week, which this year runs Sept. 17-23, and always ends with National Car Seat Check Saturday.

Local families are invited to attend a free car seat installation event hosted by the California Highway Patrol and Petaluma Police Department from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd., in Petaluma.

Participants interested in the free car seat installation event should reserve a spot with CHP Officer Custodio Lopez by calling 707-319-3719. Children must be present for car seat installation and inspection.

Everyone who drives child passengers is encouraged to check out free, online resources at www.nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat and Child Safety Seat Programs from the California Highway Patrol.