Skip to main content

Child Passenger Safety Week: Protect Your Child with the Right Car Seat

 

Salinas, CA - The County of Monterey Health Department’s Public Health Bureau is joining 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.

 

During Child Passenger Safety Week, County of Monterey Health Department’s Public Health Bureau encourages all parents and caregivers to make sure their children are riding safely by using the correct car seats, booster seats and properly fitted seat belts. This annual campaign takes place from September 21-27.

 

“Every child deserves to travel safely,” Monterey County Car Seat Program Specialist Monica Corral said. “During Child Passenger Safety Week, we encourage all parents and caregivers to make 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.”

 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused. Properly installed car seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury crashes by 71% for infants under a year old and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 through 4.

 

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. Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat, in the back seat. Children age 8 or older, or who are 4’9” or taller, may use the vehicle seat belt if it fits properly with the lap belt low on the hips, touching the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt crossing the center of the chest. If children are not tall enough for proper belt fit, they must ride in a booster or car seat.

 

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to keep children in the proper rear or forward-facing seat as long as possible and use the “Five-Step Test” to determine if their child is big enough to safely use a seat belt without a booster seat.

 

To schedule a free child safety seat inspection, contact your local CHP Area or County of Monterey Car Seat Program.

 

Visit www.gosafelyca.org for more traffic safety information.

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

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

King City Man Arrested on January 6 for Rape, Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor and Kidnapping

  According to King City Police Department, on December 30, 2024 a 17-year-old minor female victim reported that she had attended a party on the 100 Block of Bedford Circle on December 24, 2024. During the party, the suspect provided her with alcohol. He then pulled the victim into a bedroom, forcibly removed her clothing and had sexual intercourse with her against her will. This case was investigated by the King City Police Department Investigations Unit which resulted in the apprehension and arrest on January 6, 2025 of the suspect identified as 21-year-old Jesus Oseguera Briseno of King City. Briseno was also booked into the Monterey County Jail charged with Rape, Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor and Kidnapping. Anyone with further information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the King City Police Department at (844) 844-3382; Sergeant Josh Partida (831) 385-4848 or jpartida@kingcity.com; or the WeTip line at 1-800-78-CRIME. Your call may remain completely ano...

3 Vehicle Wreck on Highway 101 Outside of King City on December 26

  A 3 vehicle accident happened on Highway 101 Northbound near the Central Avenue exit outside of King City at 12:07 pm on Thursday afternoon, December 26. One of the vehicles overturned as a result of the crash. Minor injuries were reported from the collision. 

Greenfield Man Arrested for November 26 Attempted Murder Incident in King City

  On November 26, 2024, at approximately 4:05 PM, officers from the King City Police Department were dispatched to the 900 block of Broadway Street for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers learned that the victim had been shot multiple times and was transported by family members to a local hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening wounds. Through investigation, detectives identified a possible suspect vehicle. A subject associated to that vehicle was contacted and later arrested for his involvement in the shooting. He is identified as 20-year-old Adrian Justo of Greenfield. Justo was booked into Monterey County Jail for attempted murder. There is no additional information at this time and the investigation is on-going. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the King City Police Department at (831) 385-4848; Sergeant Joshue Partida at (831) 386-5988 or jpartida@kingcity.com; or the WeTip line at 1-800-78-CRIME. Your call may remain compl...