This week, the National Traffic and Safety Administration is presenting Child Passenger Safety Week.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the child is put into a car seat based on age.
“Parents are always wanting to know what the age is, but it’s us individually, we’re all different sizes and our children are all different sizes. So the main focus is the correct seat for your child’s height, weight, and development,” Stephanie Christina, a traffic safety specialist for the Texas Department of Transportation.
All children under age 8, unless they are taller than 4 feet, 8 inches, must be in a safety seat, or booster.
Some of the most common mistakes when using a child safety seat:
- Harness straps through wrong slots
- Chest clip incorrectly positioned
- Harness is too loose
- Wrong seat belt path used
- Loose safety seat installation
The Texas Department of Transportation offers safety seat inspections by appointment at eight Coastal Bend locations.
- TxDOT in Corpus Christi, 361-808-2381
- Driscoll Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention, 361-694-6700
- Robstown Child Passenger Safety Program, 361-244-2891
- Aransas Pass Fire Department, 361-758-2086 ext 3
- Port Aransas Fire Department, 361-749-4405
- TxDOT in Refugio, 361-526-4421
- TxDOT in Beeville, 361-358-3178
- Alice Fire Department, 361-664-3111
*Allow 30 minutes per seat.
For more information on Child Passenger Safety Week, read here.
