According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 46% of child car seats and booster seats are installed incorrectly.
To help ensure parents and caretakers have properly installed their child car seats, Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC) is hosting a free child seat safety check event, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 on the MRMC campus, 1400 E. Church St., Santa Maria.
Caretakers who transport children by vehicle are urged to attend the event to learn how to properly secure a child’s seat in a vehicle.
Child safety seat experts will inspect individual safety seats and demonstrate proper installation. The vehicle and car seat to be used must be present to be checked.
It is recommended but not mandatory that the child attend as well. No appointment is necessary.
The event is being hosted in partnership with the California Highway Patrol, Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara County SafeKids, Herencia Indigena, Cottage Children’s Medical Center, and CommUnify.
Under California law, children under two years of age are required to ride in a rear-facing child safety seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall.
Additionally, children are required to use a booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Children should be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat.
The seat check event will emphasize the importance of understanding vehicle restraint laws and ensuring all children riding in a car are properly secured.
Funding for the program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.