The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office – San Jacinto Station is working 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, which runs from September 21 to 27.
The campaign encourages parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are riding safely by using appropriate car seats, booster seats, and properly fitted seat belts. “Every child deserves to travel safely,” Deputy Joe Valencia 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 almost half of car seats are misused. Studies have found that properly installed car seats can significantly reduce fatal injuries in crashes: by 71% for infants under one year old and by 54% for toddlers ages one through four.
California law states that all children under two years old must ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh at least 40 pounds or are at least 40 inches tall. Children under eight years old must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat until they meet these requirements. After reaching eight years old or a height of at least four feet nine inches, children 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 according to safety guidelines and use the “Five-Step Test” to check if their child is ready to use only a seat belt.
Free child safety seat inspections can be scheduled through local CHP Area Offices. Additional information on traffic safety is available at www.gosafelyca.org.
For media inquiries about this campaign, contact the Media Information Bureau.
Individuals interested in joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office can find more information at joinrso.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD.
