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Car crashes are one of the leading causes of deaths and injuries for children. Sadly, many of these injuries and deaths are easily prevented using child safety seats and seat belts. Using a properly fitted child safety seat can reduce the risk of car crash deaths by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers ages 1-4 (NHTSA).
Safe Kids Greater Sacramento member agencies works tirelessly to make sure families use car seats, booster seats and seat belts every trip, every time. Our coalition teaches parents and caregivers how to properly install car seats to safely transport their children.
Safe Kids Greater Sacramento members offer:
See below for a list of car seat programs near you.
Schedule a one-on-one car seat lesson with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician!
Safe Kids Greater Sacramento lead agency UC Davis Health offers car seat checkups in person. Call 916-734-9798 or click on the link below to make an appointment.
Member agency Dignity Health Mercy San Juan Medical Center also offers car seat checkups by video chat or in person. Call 916-864-5779 or click on the link below to make an appointment.
For a list of other agencies offering checkup appointments scroll down to click “Find a Car Seat Station”.
Two local health care agencies offer car seat programs for parents/caregivers that cannot afford a car seat for their child. Eligible families (enrolled in assistance program such as WIC, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal) can attend an online class and receive one car seat or booster seat. Please call 916-734-9798 (UC Davis Health) or call 916-864-5779 (Dignity Health Mercy San Juan) to sign up for an online class.
Make sure kids use car seats or booster seats that are appropriate for their age, height and weight.
California law requires children to remain rear-facing until age 2.
Once they have outgrown their rear-facing seat, kids can use forward facing safety seats with a harness. This means safely securing the child in a car seat facing the front of the car. Kids should continue using their forward-facing seat with a harness until they outgrow it by weight or height.
Kids up to age 8 must ride in booster seats in the back seat.
Kids age 8 or older or who are 4’9” or taller can use a seat belt. The lap belt must fit low on their hips with the shoulder belt crossing the middle of their chest.
Kids who are not 4’9” or taller must use a booster seat.
Never buy used car seats if you don’t know its full history and never use car seats that have been in a car crash.
Remember all car seats have expiration dates. The expiration date can be found on a sticker on the seat. Typically it’s for 6 years. If there are any questions contact the seat manufacturer.
Have your car seat checked by a child passenger safety technician.
Safe Kids Greater Sacramento Coalition Coordinator
916-734-9784
[email protected]