The Glendale Police Department is encouraging parents and caregivers to ensure children are riding safely by using appropriate car seats, booster seats, and properly fitted seat belts during Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from September 15-21. This annual initiative seeks to raise awareness about the critical importance of car seat safety and correct installation.
As part of the campaign, a Car Seat Safety Installation event will be held on Saturday, September 14, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Glendale Police Department will partner with the Office of Assemblymember Laura Friedman for the event, which will include car seat safety inspections conducted by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The event will take place at Parking Lot 34, across from Verdugo Park in Glendale. Families attending by appointment will receive a free First 5 California kit. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (818) 558-3043.
“Every child deserves to travel safely,” said Sergeant Ryan Gunn of the Glendale Police Department. “We urge parents and caregivers to take a few minutes during Child Passenger Safety Week to double-check their child’s car seat. Using the right seat for a child’s age and size can make a significant difference in the event of a crash.”
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that nearly 46% of car seats are misused. Properly installed car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71% for infants under one year old and by 54% for toddlers aged one to four.
California law mandates that children under two years old must ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh 40 pounds or more or are 40 inches or taller. After meeting those criteria, children under the age of eight must still be secured in a car seat or booster seat. Children under eight may not ride in the front seat unless the vehicle lacks a rear forward-facing seat. Once a child is eight years old or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, they can transition to a seat belt, although booster seats are recommended until the child can pass the “Five-Step Test” to ensure the seat belt fits correctly.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to schedule a free child safety seat inspection with their local CHP Area Office to confirm proper installation.
This program is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
