One Size Does Not Fit All: Choosing the Right Car Seat

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Do you know if your child is riding in a car seat safe enough for their height, weight and age?

Under California law, children under two weighing less than 40 pounds and less than 40 inches tall are required to be in a rear-facing car seat. Children under the age of eight or less than 4’ 9” tall must be secured in a car or booster seat.

The fine for not securing a child in the correct child safety seat is $490.

The Newport Beach Police Department, along with other law enforcement agencies, public health departments and other community organizations to raise awareness about the importance of keeping children in the correct car seat for their age and size.

The effort to promote car seat safety coincides with Child Passenger Safety Week, which is from Sept. 15-21. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 46% of car seats are not used properly.

“Children mean the world to parents and caregivers, but unfortunately many are putting them in harm’s way without knowing it,” Lieutenant Cartwright said. “Our goal is to educate parents and caregivers on how they can keep children riding in the car as safe as possible.”

Child Passenger Safety Week wraps up with National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 21.

Safety Belt Safe U.S.A. is hosting a Car Seat Check event on Saturday September 21, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 22481 Aspan Street, Lake Forest, CA 92630.

“Even if you think you have the right car seat and installed it correctly, it doesn’t hurt to get it checked,” Lieutenant Cartwright.

To find the right seat for your child, visit the NHTSA website. To find a car seat fitting station near you, contact your local CHP area office or go to the California Office of Traffic Safety website for a listing of car seat programs statewide.

Funding for this child passenger safety program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.