IMPORTANT: Example of a notice we can place on the top the page for urgent matters. Can be added/removed easily.

Call to Action
English Spanish
COVID-19 RESOURCES
toggleMenu
English Spanish

Safety Seats

Properly using a safety seat and buckling up the right way on EVERY car ride is the most important thing a family can do to stay safe in the car.

Statistics

  • Car crashes are the number one preventable cause of death for children and young adults in the United States
  • Car seat use reduces the risk of death for infants by 71% and for toddlers by 54%. Seat belt use by older children and adults reduces risk of death and serious injury by about 50%

Proper Safety Seat Use

  • Find a safety seat that fits your child’s age and size (check the exact height and weight limit on the side or back of your safety seat)
  • Check your safety seat’s expiration date. Most expire within six to nine years
  • Your child should be in a rear-facing safety seat for as long as possible, usually until around age 2 with a weight of at least 20 pounds
  • Use a front-facing seat until the harness no longer fits, or your child’s weight and/or height exceeds the seat’s limits, generally until age 5
  • Children should be in a booster seat until they weigh between 80 and 100 pounds and are at least 4’9,” usually around age 8. Your child may then switch to a safety belt
  • Children should ride in the back seat until age 13

Car Seats

  • Know how to install and use your car seat correctly every time. Read the car seat instructions AND your vehicle owner’s manual
  • Car seats should be placed in the back seat of your vehicle
  • Once the car seat is secured, it should not move side-to-side or front-to-back more than one inch
  • Chest clips should be fastened at the armpit level
  • Tighten the straps until you are unable to pinch extra material from the shoulder strap

Booster Seats

  • Read the booster seat instructions and your vehicle owner’s manual
  • Place the booster seat in the back seat
  • Have your child sit in the seat and make sure the belt fits properly. The belt should sit across the child’s upper thighs (not stomach), and the shoulder belt should cross the chest. DO NOT place the shoulder belt under the child’s arm or behind their back

Resources

Websites

Videos

Bubble Wrap: Having Trouble Installing Your Car Seat? We Can Help.

Safe Kids Austin – Booster Seat PSA

Car Seat Resources in Monterey County

AAA
Car seat inspection station. Call for appointment.
53 Soledad Dr.
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 645-1920

California Highway Patrol
Car seat inspection station. Call for appointment.
King City: 2 Broadway Circle, King City, CA 93930. (831)-385-3216
Salinas: 960 E. Blanco Rd, Salinas, CA 93901. (831) 796-2100

Hodges Rental Center
Loaner car seats. $22.50/week
456 Lighthouse Avenue
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 373-7368

Laurel Family Practice
Patients only. Low-cost or free car seats. Handouts, instruction on car seat use/installation. Spanish available.
1441 Constitution Blvd
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-4123

Monterey County Association of Families
Caring for Children through Department of Social Services
Welfare clients only. Free car seats. Spanish available.
1000 South Main Street, Suite 112
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 796-1599

Monterey County Operated Health Clinics:
Patients only. Free or low-cost car seats. Handouts, instruction on car seat use/installation. Certified car seat technician. Spanish available.
Alisal Health Clinic: 559 East Alisal St, Suite 201. Salinas, CA. 93905. (831) 769-8812
Marina Health Clinic: 3155 De Forest Rd, Marina, CA. 93933. (831) 384-1445
Seaside Health Clinic: 1150 Fremont Blvd, Seaside, CA. 93955. (831) 899-8100

Monterey County SAFE KIDS Coalition
Discounted car seat program, call for schedule. Car seat inspection and community awareness. Spanish available.
David Maradei, Director, Child Abuse Prevention Council for Monterey County
1000 South Main Street Suite 112
Salinas, CA 93901
831-755-3404

Monterey Adult School
Two-hour education class, video, handouts, demonstrations, and inspection/installation. See schedule. $45/class.
1713 Broadway Ave.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 392-3565

Natividad Volunteer Auxiliary
Patients only.
1441 Constitution Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-4215

Presidio of Monterey Police Station
Car seat inspection and installation. Call for appointment.
Building 4468 Gigling Rd.
Seaside, CA, 93955
(831) 242-7851

Presidio of Monterey Fire Station
Car seat inspection and installation. Call for appointment.
4400 General Jim Moore Rd
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 242-7701

Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital
Patients only. Video, handouts, $35 fee, car seats for sale. Spanish available.
450 East Romie Lane
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 757-4333 ext. 2125

Get directions
Interpreter services