It’s Child Passenger Safety Week! Here are some tools to help you make sure the children in your life are safer when they ride in vehicles.
Why should children use car seats?
Car seats save lives.
In 2021, 711 children under the age of 13 were killed in passenger vehicles, and more than a third of them weren’t buckled up, according to the Centers For Disease Control.
Using a car seat or booster seat instead of a seat belt alone dramatically reduces the risk a child will be injured in a crash, the CDC says.
What kind of seat should your child use?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides an overview of car seat and booster seat guidelines from birth to age 12. Their Car Seat Finder Tool allows you to enter a child’s date of birth, height, and weight to find the best option.
The tool and guidelines are also available in Spanish.
It’s also important to make sure your child’s seat is installed correctly.
These videos from Seattle Children’s Hospital offer advice for parents and caregivers:
- Infant and Toddler Car Seat Safety Tips in English and Spanish
- Booster Seat Safety Tips in English and Spanish
How can you make sure your child’s seat is installed properly?
Sept. 23 is National Seat Check Saturday — the perfect day to check your child’s seat.
You can search this database to find a car seat inspection station with certified technicians near you, including 119 locations across the state of Washington.
Many local police departments, sheriff’s offices, fire departments, and hospitals offer free car seat inspections. Some have special events for National Seat Check Saturday.