Last Updated: September 24, 2025
Child Passenger Safety Week is September 21-27
Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage parents and caregivers to choose the right car seat for their child and install the seat properly. RHHD Community Health Workers (CHWs) lead several classes per month at local resource centers as part of the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Low Income Safety Seat Program. This program offers brand-new car seats and education to income-qualified families. Call 1-800-732-8333 for more information.
“The car seat safety program helps families ensure that all children are safe during a car ride,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Community Health Worker Senior Yovaldi Lamoutt. “The car seat safety program provides families with a brand-new car seat and teaches parents and caregivers how to property install it.”
How to choose a seat and get help with installation
Use this guide from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to choose the right car seat for your child’s age and size. VDH hosts regular car seat safety seat check events and offers remote service by request. Many locations throughout the country will be offering free car seat inspections by certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians on National Seat Check Saturday (Sept. 27). Visit nhtsa.gov/CarSeatInspection to find out if an event or technician is available in your community.
Car seat safety tips from the NHTSA:
- Read the instructions. Read both the car seat instruction manual and the vehicle owner’s manual before installing a car seat. Contact a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician for no-cost assistance.
- Use the tether on forward-facing car seats. Secure the tether when installing a forward-facing car seat. The tether prevents the car seat from moving forward in a crash and may prevent head injury. Read your vehicle owner’s manual to find the correct tether anchor location.
- Don’t rush to the next seat. Keep kids in the right seat for their age and size for as long as possible.
- Keep kids under 13 in the back seat of the vehicle. Never place a car seat in the front seat. Air bags in the front seat are designed for adult passengers.
- Register car seats with the manufacturer. When you register your car seat with the manufacturer, the manufacturer will be able to notify you in the event of a recall. NHTSA’s SaferCar app provides an easy way for parents and caregivers to save their vehicle and car seat details.
Every day in 2023, on average, two children under 14 were killed and 345 were injured in traffic crashes while riding in passenger vehicles, according to the NHTSA. In 2023, 43% of children killed in car crashes were unrestrained.