Child Passenger Safety
In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for children ages 1 through 12 years. About a third of the children killed in a car crash were not buckled up. To prevent motor vehicle crash deaths, parents and caregivers must ensure their children are buckled up correctly every drive. Below are some more car safety resources and information.
Car Seat Safety Resources
Car Seat Safety Class
This FREE car seat safety class is offered once a month in English and Spanish in San Bernardino for parents or guardians to learn more about car seat safety. Classes are taught by Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST). CPSTs provide instruction on:
- California buckle-up laws
- Basic crash dynamics
- How car seats and seat belts protect in a crash
- Proper seat belt use
- Correct installation of car seats
Visit the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Events page at dph.sbcounty.gov/events to view upcoming English and Spanish car seat safety classes. For more information or to sign up for a class, call 1(800) 782-4264.
Low Cost Car Seats
Parents who are expecting or have a child in need of a car seat and who meet eligibility requirements can purchase a new car seat at low cost. Parents or caregivers must also complete a car seat safety class to purchase the new car seat. Car seats available for purchase include car seats for newborn infants and toddlers (convertible rear-facing and forward-facing car seats) and children 2 years or older (combination forward-facing and booster seats). Limit one car seat per child. Visit the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Events page at dph.sbcounty.gov/events to view upcoming English and Spanish car seat safety classes.
For more information, call 1(800) 782-4264.
Participant Intervention Program (PIP)
Participant Intervention Program (PIP) classes are for persons that are cited for not properly buckling up children and receive a referral from the courts or law enforcement. Classes are held each month in English and in Spanish in San Bernardino only. There is a $50 fee for the class. Participants who successfully complete the class are issued a certificate of completion for the court.
For more information or to register for the class, call 1(800) 782-4264.
Car Seat Check Up Appointment
Did you know almost half (46%) of parents and caregivers install child car seats incorrectly? Installing a child’s car seat can be confusing at times. Schedule an appointment to check your installed car seat to make sure you are using it correctly and as safe as possible for your child.
To speak with a Child Passenger Safety Technician, request educational resources, or to schedule a car seat check-up, call 1(800) 782-4264.
Key Fact: The harness on a child should be comfortably snug. Pinch the harness strap where it crosses your child’s shoulders. If you pinch any slack on the harness, it is too loose.
Birth – 2 Years
REAR-FACING
Infant / Convertible / 3-In-1
All children under age 2 must be properly secured in a rear-facing car seat.
Rear-facing is the safest way for small children to travel.
They should remain rear-facing until they reach 2 years of age or until they exceed the height or weight limit of the car seat.
2 – 4 Years
FORWARD-FACING
Convertible / 3-In-1 / Combination
All children under age 4 must be properly secured in a car seat with an internal harness.
A 5-point harness is the safest restraint system and should be used as long as possible (until the child exceeds the harness’ weight limit).
4 – 8 Years
BOOSTER
3-In-1 / Combination Booster
All children at least 4 years old (but younger than age 8) must ride in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat, unless they are taller than 4’9″.
A booster seat should be used until the child can properly fit into a seat belt.
8 Years +
SEAT BELT
Back seat for safest travel.
All children taller than 4’9″ (or age 8 and up) should be restrained in a seat belt.
Front seat airbags may hurt small children.
Riding in the back seat of the vehicle is the safest way for children to travel.
California Car Seat Law
Effective January 1, 2017
Children Under Age 8
Must be buckled into a car seat or booster in the back seat.
Children Age 8 or Older, or 4’9″ or Taller
May use the vehicle seat belt if it fits properly with the lap belt low on the hips, touching the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt crossing the center of the chest. If children are not tall enough for proper belt fit, they must ride in a booster or car seat.
Children Under Age 2
Starting January 1, 2017, children under 2 years old must be rear-facing unless they weigh 40 pounds or more, or are 40 inches tall or more.
Children must be properly buckled in a car seat which is rear-facing until age 2.
Rear-facing is 5 times safer than forward-facing.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the care seat manufacturer.
Kaitlyn’s Law
It’s against California law to leave a child under the age of 7 alone in the car without the supervision of a person at least 12 years old if:
1. The keys are in the ignition or the car is running, or
2. There is a significant risk to the child
Fines & Penalties
For each child under 16 who is not properly secured, parents (if in the car) or drivers can be fined more than $500 and get a point on their driving records.
Resources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safe Kids Inland Empire
- CDC Child Passenger Safety
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Information for Parents and Caregivers
- California Highway Patrol Child Safety Seats
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Safe Kids Inland Empire
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit the Safe Kids National CPS Certification website to learn more.
The free car seat safety classes are offered every last Thursday of the month. There is one session in English