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Child Passenger Safety Week: Tips to keep your kids safe

By Alexa Mae Asperin
Published  September 20, 2022 8:11am PDT
California
FOX 11

National Child Passenger Safety Week

Child Passenger Safety Week is dedicated to educating parents and caregivers on child seat safety.

LOS ANGELES - Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 18-24. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 46% of car seats are misused. Vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13.

California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or inches tall. Parents are encouraged to keep your child in rear- and forward-facing seats as long as possible. Children 8 and older—who are at least 4 feet 9 inches in height—may ride in the back seat of a vehicle in a properly fitted safety belt.

To search for car seat programs in your county, visit the OTS website. You may also contact your local CHP area office to schedule a free child safety seat inspection.

Here are some safety tips from SafeKids.org:

How to Ride Safely

  1. The back seat is the best. It is the safest place to ride for all children under age 13. Not all cars allow for a car seat in every place that has a seat belt. Check your car owner manual to see where you can put a car seat.
  2. Be wary of toys in the car. Choose toys that are soft and will not hurt your child in a crash. Secure any loose objects in the car.
  3. Wear your seat belt. We know that when adults wear seat belts, kids wear seat belts. So be a good example and buckle up for every ride. Be sure everyone in the vehicle buckles up, too.
  4. Never leave your child alone in a car, even for a minute. Learn more about preventing heatstroke.