Police hosting free car seat check for Child Passenger Safety Week

The San Bernardino Police Department have announced they will be helping parents and caregivers properly install child safety seats as a part of Child Passenger Safety Week.

September 19 and 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the San Bernardino Police Department will have certified child passenger safety technicians available at 710 N. D Street to check car seat installations. The technicians will teach parents and caregivers how to install the car seat correctly, as well as educate them on the appropriate seat based on the child’s age and size.

“Children are vulnerable to injury in a crash when they are in the wrong type of car seat for their age and size or if the car seat is installed improperly,” San Bernardino Police Department Sergeant Harvey said, “We are here to offer parents and caregivers guidance and reassurances that their child is as safe as possible while riding in the car.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused.

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 is 40 or more inches tall. Parents are encouraged to keep their children in rear- and forward-facing seats as long as possible. Children 8 and older or who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height, may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be wearing a properly fitted safety belt.

To search for car seat programs in your county, visit the Office of Traffic Safety website. You may also contact your local CHP Area Office to schedule a free child safety seat inspection.