Child Passenger Safety - CPS

The Selma Police Department works to promote child passenger safety education and awareness in our City.  We recognize that this is crucial to the safety of children in our community, as nationwide statistics indicate that 90% of child safety seats are used incorrectly.

California Car-Seat and Safety Belt Laws

California’s car-seat law states that a child must be secured in a car-seat or booster seat until the child reaches the age of six (6) or weighs 60 pounds. Unfortunately, many parents and other adults do not realize that a child who is older than six (6) and/or weighs more than 60 pounds must also be properly restrained in a booster seat or vehicle safety belt to safely ride in a vehicle. As a general rule, most children do not fit properly in an adult seat-belt until they reach the age of 8 to 10 years old and are 4 feet 9 inches in height. This means that many children between the ages of 6 and 10 are in danger when riding in a vehicle if they are not properly restrained and protected.

Common Misuses of Child Safety Seats

• Using a seat that has expired (most seats expire after 6 years).

• Using a seat purchased at a yard sale (these seats are unsafe because the history is not known).

• Using a seat that has been involved in a crash (Just like seat-belts, child safety seats are not safe to use after being involved in a crash, unless the crash was minor and the car-seat manual indicates that it is okay to use.)

• Using a seat that does not meet the age, weight and height requirements for the child.

• Turning a child forward-facing too soon (it is recommended to keep a child rear-facing as long as possible, according to the weight and height limits indicated on the seat).

• Placing a child in an adult seat-belt too soon.  Most children between the ages of 6 and 10 and under 4 feet 9 inches of height need to use a booster seat to be riding safely in a vehicle.

Car-Seat Check Appointments

In order to provide education about car-seat safety and ensure that children in our community are riding safely, the Selma Police Department provides ongoing car-seat check appointments free of charge to Selma residents.  At an appointment, Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will help you determine if you are using the right type of car-seat for your child, teach you how to properly install your child's car-seat, and teach you about safety information. 

Not sure what type of car-seat to buy for your child? 

For more information and resources regarding child passenger safety, please click here.