The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is promoting child passenger safety across the state, focusing on the protection of California’s youngest road users.

National Child Passenger Safety Week, observed from Sept. 15-21, 2024, aims to educate parents and caregivers about the critical importance of proper child safety restraints. The week emphasizes ensuring that every child is properly secured for every trip, in the right car seat, and facing the correct direction based on their age, weight, and height.

“Properly installed child safety seats offer the best protection for infants and young children,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The CHP is committed to keeping California’s children safe. Our trained car seat experts are available statewide to provide free, personalized instruction on proper car seat installation to help ensure the best fit for your child.”

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children in the United States. Yet, many of these tragedies are preventable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), child safety seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants (under one year old) and by 54 percent for toddlers (ages one to four).

Since launching its Child Passenger Safety Program in 1999, the CHP has trained thousands of officers and staff as Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPS). These technicians offer safety seat inspections, education, and hands-on training year-round, providing valuable resources to parents and caregivers across the state.

If you’re unsure about how to properly secure your child in a car seat, the CHP encourages you to visit your nearest CHP Area office and speak with a certified child passenger safety technician.

California law mandates that children under two years old, weighing less than 40 pounds, and under 40 inches tall, must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. All children under eight years old must be in a suitable safety seat in the back seat. Safety experts recommend that children remain in the back seat until they reach 13 years of age. For more details on child passenger safety, visit the CHP Child Safety Seat Programs webpage.