The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is working with law enforcement agencies, public health departments, and community organizations to promote child passenger safety. This effort coincides with Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from September 21 to 27.
Sergeant Mark Chlarson of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the importance of using the correct car seat for children: “Every child deserves to travel safely,” Chlarson said. “During Child Passenger Safety Week, we urge all parents and caregivers to know for sure that their 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.”
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that about 46% of car seats are misused. Proper installation of car seats reduces fatal injuries by 71% for infants under one year old and by 54% for toddlers ages one through four.
California law requires children under two years old to use a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh at least 40 pounds or are at least 40 inches tall. Children under eight must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat. Children who are eight years old or older, or at least four feet nine inches tall, may use a booster seat but must be secured by at least a safety belt.
Parents and caregivers are advised to keep children in rear- or forward-facing seats as long as possible. The “Five-Step Test” can help determine if a child is ready to use only a seat belt without a booster.
Free child safety seat inspections can be scheduled at local CHP Area Offices. More information on traffic safety is available at www.gosafelyca.org.
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