Child Passenger Safety Week
9/22/2025
September 21-27, 2025 is Child Passenger Safety Week.
To keep children safe in vehicles, always ensure they are in the appropriate, properly installed seat for their age, weight, height, and keep them in the back seat until age 13.
Choose the Right Seat and Install it Correctly
- Age, Weight, Height Appropriateness: Ensure the car seat, booster seat, or set belt is appropriate for your child's current size, and update it as they grow.
- Rear-Facing as Long as Possible: Keep children in a rear-facing seat with a harness until they reach the maximum height or weight limit for that seat.
- Back Seat is Safest: All children under 13 should ride in the back seat, which is the safest place.
- Proper Installation: Install the car seat using the vehicle's seat belt and check your vehicle's manual for specific instructions.
Safe Use of Restraints
- Harness Fit: For harness seats, ensure the chest clip is at the armpit level and the straps are snug.
- Booster Seat Fit: For booster seats, the lap belt should be across the upper thighs and the should belt across the center of the chest and shoulder.
- Check for Recalls: Register your car seat with the manufacturer to be notified of recalls.
- No Counterfeit Seats: Be wary of counterfeit car seats, as they offer no protection in a crash.
General Safety Measurers
- Buckle Up Every Time: Set a good example by wearing your own seat belt and ensure everyone in the car is properly buckled.
- No Unattended Children: Never leave a child alone in a vehicle.
- Be Aware of Airbags: Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an active airbag.
- Secure Loose Items: Tie down any loose objects in the car or store them in the trunk, as they can become projectiles.
- Check Before You Lock: Make it a habit to check the back seat before locking your car doors to avoid leaving a child behind.