Motor vehicle crashes continue to be one of the leading causes of death and injury for children in California. According to the California Department of Public Health, they rank among the top five causes of death and hospitalization for children under age 16.

Child safety seats are highly effective when used correctly. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that:

• Properly installed child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants under 1 year old, and

• By 54% for toddlers between the ages of 1 and 4.

Although child restraints can be life-saving, they are frequently misused. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and NHTSA estimate that about 46% of child safety seats are not used correctly, significantly reducing their effectiveness.

Motor vehicle crashes are a serious threat to child safety, but proper use of child restraints can significantly reduce the risk of death and injury. While child safety seats are highly effective, nearly half are used incorrectly—highlighting the importance of proper installation and usage.

California Child Passenger Safety Law

• Under California law, children under 8 years old or shorter than 4 feet 9 inches must be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint system, such as a car seat or booster seat, in the back seat of a vehicle. Children who are 8 years old or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall may use a properly secured seat belt. The California Highway Patrol recommends that all children under 13 ride in the back seat for optimal safety .

Prevention Tips

• Use the Right Restraint for the Child’s Age, Weight, and Height

  • Infants and toddlers should be in rear-facing car seats until at least age 2 or until they reach the car seat's height and weight limits.

  • Children under 8 years old or shorter than 4'9" must ride in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.

  • Kids 8 or older and taller than 4'9" can use a seat belt if it fits properly.

• Always Place Children in the Back Seat

  • The back seat is the safest place for children under 13 years old. Front airbags can seriously injure young kids.

• Check for Proper Seat Belt Fit

  • The lap belt should lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach.

  • The shoulder belt should cross the chest and rest snugly on the shoulder—not the neck or face.

• Use Booster Seats Correctly

  • Booster seats help position the seat belt correctly on a child’s smaller frame.

  • Never allow a child to use an adult seat belt alone before they are tall enough.

• Install Car Seats Properly

  • Follow manufacturer instructions carefully for installation.

  • Use LATCH anchors or seat belt locking mechanisms for a secure fit.

  • Have your installation checked by a certified technician or at CHP’s free inspection events.

• Keep Children in Rear-Facing Seats as Long as Possible
  Rear-facing seats better protect a child’s head, neck, and spine during crashes.

• Don’t Let Kids Slouch or Twist in Their Seats
  Proper posture keeps the restraint effective and helps avoid injury.

• Avoid Using Secondhand or Expired Car Seats
  Car seats have expiration dates and can be damaged or outdated. Always use a seat in good condition and up to current safety standards.

• Make Buckling Up a Habit
  Always buckle up every ride, no matter how short.

• Lead by Example
  Always wear your seat belt to set a good example for children.

• ALWAYS read the child safety seat instruction manual and your motor vehicle owner's manual to ensure proper installation.
• Contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline (888)327-4236 or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (800)638-2772 or www.cpsc.gov, about recalls or safety notices on child safety seats. After you purchase a new child safety seat, always return the product registration form to the manufacturer so you are notified of recalls.
• Most child safety seats and vehicles manufactured after September 1, 2002 are equipped with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for Children). the bottom of the safety seat is connected by straps with hooks to two bars in the crack of the vehicle seat cushion. If LATCH is not available on both the safety seat and the selected seating position in the vehicle, use the vehicle belt instead. In either case, the top tether strap should be attached for forward-facing seats.

Seating Your Child Safely

• Children Under 2 Years

  • Should ride rear-facing in the back seat, unless they weigh at least 40 lbs and fit the seat’s height and weight limits.

  • Continue using a rear-facing convertible seat until the child reaches the seat’s maximum height or weight limits — not just based on age.

  • Don’t switch to forward-facing simply because the child is restless. Safety limits matter most.

  • Always install the seat in the back seat, away from active airbags.

• Children Ages 1 to 4 Years

  • May ride forward-facing in a child safety seat with a harness, installed in the back seat.

  • Continue using a harnessed safety seat until the child weighs at least 40 lbs (usually about age 4).

  • Harness straps must be threaded through the top slots unless the seat manual says otherwise.

  • Straps should fit snugly, at or above the child’s shoulders, with no slack (pinch test applies).

  • The chest clip should be placed at armpit level.

• Children Ages 4 to 8 Years

  • Must ride in the back seat using a booster seat with a properly fitting lap/shoulder belt.

  • The California Highway Patrol strongly recommends using booster seats until the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and passes the 5-Step Test:

    1. Sits all the way back against the vehicle seat.

    2. Knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat.

    3. Shoulder belt lies across the collarbone, not the neck or face.

    4. Lap belt fits low across the hips, touching the thighs.

    5. The child can remain seated like this for the entire trip.

• If your car only has lap belts (no shoulder belt) in the back seat, you cannot use a booster seat. However you can:
  • Contact the car manufacturer to see if a retrofit shoulder belt can be installed, or
  • Contact SafetyBeltSafe (800) 745-SAFE or www.carseat.org for special products with harnesses for children over 40 lbs.

Safety Seat Inspection Stations

• Safety Seat Inspection stations are located throughout Los Angeles County where Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians inspect child safety seats, make sure it fits the child properly, and ensures it is installed correctly and located in the safest seat in the vehicle. To make an appointment with a certified technician in your area call (866) 732-8243 or visit www.seatcheck.org.