The Imperial County Public Health Department, California Highway Patrol, Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and the First 5 Imperial will join efforts on Saturday, September 27th to provide child safety information to local families during a Child Safety Awareness Day event. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians from participating agencies will offer car seat inspections and education. If a child’s car seat is expired, damaged, or not the right size for the child, an appropriate car seat will be provided and installed at no cost for parents and caregivers. The event, scheduled to begin at 7:00 am, will be held in the south parking lot adjacent to the Imperial County Public Health Department. The child must be present and in the car seat on the day of the event. Parents and caregivers interested in having their child’s car seat inspected by a certified technician during this event are encouraged to call (442) 265-1442 to schedule an appointment.

In 2023, the NHTSA reported that an average of 3 children under 14 were killed and an estimated 442 were injured daily in traffic crashes in the U.S. Alarmingly, 43% of the children who died were unrestrained. No parent wants to risk their child’s safety, yet car seats, booster seats, and seat belts are often used incorrectly.

Officer Jose Marquez, Public Information Officer for the California Highway Patrol stated, “Motor vehicles crashes are a leading killer of children, and the latest research shows that 95% of car seats are installed or used improperly. Using age-and size-appropriate car seats and installing them correctly is one of the best ways to reduce these deaths.”

Parents and caregivers who have not yet had their child’s car seat inspected are encouraged to attend this Saturday’s education event. Certified technicians will be available to check car seats, provide guidance, and ensure children are properly secured. Together, we can keep our children safe on the road.

NHTSA recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible up to the top height or weight allowed by their seat. Once a child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, he/she is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness. After outgrowing the forward-facing car seats, children should be placed in booster seats until they are big enough to fit seat belts properly without help from a booster seat. The safest place for all children under 13 is in the back seat of the car.

For more information on child car safety, as well as how to find other car seat check events, visit safercar.gov/parents. For additional resources, please visit the Imperial County Public Health Department’s website at https://www.icphd.org/emergency-medical-services/child-safety-seat-program