Car Seat Safety

New California Law: Children must remain rear facing in car seat until two years of age unless 40 lbs or 40″ height.

Car seat safety

Does your child really need a car seat?

According to California law, all children under 8 years of age must be
properly restrained in the back seat of the vehicle in a correctly installed
child passenger safety restraint that meets Federal standards. All children
who are 8 years of age or older but less than 16 must be properly restrained
in either an appropriate child passenger restraint or a properly fitted safety
(seat) belt. All occupants of a vehicle 16 years of age and over must also be
restrained in a properly fitted safety (seat) belt.

Fittings & car seat check ups

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration car seat inspection locator
• AAA California car seat inspection locations

All children 12 years and under should be properly restrained in the
back seat of the vehicle. An infant should remain in the back seat of the
vehicle, in a rear-facing car seat, as long as possible up to the height or
weight limit of the seat. If an infant has outgrown the infant car seat, they
may be fitted into a convertible car seat. All infants and toddlers should
remain rear-facing in the convertible car seat in the back seat of the vehicle until at least 2 years of age or until he or she reaches the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

All children 2 years or older who have outgrown the rear facing weight or
height limit for their convertible car seat should be turned to ride forward
facing in the convertible car seat using the internal 5-point harness system
for as long as possible to the highest weight or height allowed by the
manufacturer.

Once a child outgrows their forward-facing seat, he or she should ride in a
booster seat in the back seat of the vehicle, until the vehicle safety (seat)
belt fits properly. A child typically outgrows his or her booster seat by 4 feet
9 inches tall, which may be 10-12 years of age and can then use the adult
safety (seat) belt in the back seat of the vehicle. Safety (seat) belts fit
properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt
fits across the chest in front of the child.

5-step seat belt test

Conduct the 5 step seat belt test to determine if your child is ready for
the adult shoulder/lap belt system in your vehicle.

1. Does the child sit upright with hips all the way back against the
   vehicle seatback?
2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the
   vehicle seat?
3. Is the lap belt below the abdomen on the top part of the thighs,
   snug across the hips?
4. Is the shoulder belt centered over the shoulder and across the
   chest?
5. Can the child stay seated in this position for the whole trip?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, your child needs a booster
seat to ride safely in the car.

Which car seat is right for your child?

With so many options, choosing the right one can be a challenge. The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s car seat page and Safe
Kids Worldwide ultimate car seat guide provide up-to-date, easy-to-read
information.

Is your child’s seat properly installed?

National statistics reveal that up to 95% of car seats are improperly
installed! Learn about free car seat check up locations in your area at the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration car seat inspection locator.

Children should never play in or around cars

Did you know that as many as 50 children are backed over by cars in the
U.S. every week? These are referred to as backovers. Here are some
simple rules to help protect your family from backovers:

• Do not allow your child to play in or around parked or moving cars.
• Teach your child to never run up to a moving car.
• Teach your child to never walk behind a car.For more information on backover injuries, go to Kids and Cars.Never leave a child unattended in the car
  
  A car is not a safe place to leave a child, even for a minute while you run
  back into the house or do a quick errand. Here are some things you should
  always keep in mind. Even on cool days, temperatures inside a car can rise
  to a fatal 117 degrees in minutes.
• Keep your doors locked when the car is parked so children can’t get
  inside.
• Store your purse or wallet on the floor in the back seat so you never
  forget your child.
• It’s illegal to leave a child aged 6 or less in a car without an attendant aged 12 or more.

Natividad’s Quality Department has reviewed this information. It is for
educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your
child’s doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss
any questions or concerns you may have with your child’s provider.

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