The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in Perris is collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, public health departments, and community organizations to highlight the importance of using the correct car seat for children during Child Passenger Safety Week. The campaign will run from September 21 to 27 and aims to ensure that parents and caregivers are following safety guidelines for transporting children.
“Every child deserves to travel safely,” Sergeant Jeremy Bracey 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 (NHTSA) shows that nearly half of car seats are used incorrectly. Studies have shown that proper installation of car seats can reduce fatal injuries by 71% for infants under one year old and by 54% for toddlers between one and four years old.
California law states that children under two years old must ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh at least 40 pounds or measure at least 40 inches tall. After meeting these requirements, all children under eight must still use a car seat or booster seat in the back seat. Children aged eight or older, or who are at least four feet nine inches tall, may use a booster but must be secured with at least a safety belt.
Officials recommend keeping children in rear- or forward-facing seats as long as possible based on manufacturer recommendations. Parents can use the “Five-Step Test” to check if their child is ready to move out of a booster seat.
Free child safety seat inspections are available through local California Highway Patrol offices. Additional traffic safety information can be found at www.gosafelyca.org.
For more information about this initiative or related media inquiries, contact the Media Information Bureau. Those interested in careers with the department can apply online or call 1-888-Join-RSD.
