Child Passenger Safety Program

We offer community education about child passenger safety, including, proper use and installation of child safety seats, information about current laws and recommendations for safety practices. Training sessions and technical assistance for health and child care professionals and public service agencies, is available. Car seats for low-income families are available when funding permits.

Is my car seat installed properly?

If you have questions regarding the proper installation and use of child passenger safety seats, or would like to set up an appointment to have your child safety seat checked or for a group training or presentation, and local child passenger safety efforts please call 707-253-6188 (Wed. and Thurs. Only), or e-mail: Public Health Carseat Coordinator.

Car Seat Installations and/or Inspections by appointment only! Please call in advance to make an appointment.

California Child Passenger Safety Law - Update Jan 2012

Effective January 1, 2012 a new law in California will require all children under 8 years old to ride in a  properly secured in a child passenger restraint system (car seat/booster) IN THE BACK SEAT of the vehicle.  Children under 8 years old and 4'9'' or taller may use a properly fitting adult seatbelt in the back seat.  After January 1, 2012 a violation of this law will be punsible by a fine of nearly $500 and one point on the driver's record.  Download a bilingual fact sheet about the new car seat law.

Beyond the new law, parents and caregivers should follow the Five Point Safety Test for proper safety belt use by asking the following questions. 

Five Point Safety Test for proper safety belt use:  

Can the child sit all the way back against the auto seat? 

1. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over the front edge of the auto seat?
2. Does the lap belt fit low on the hips, touching the thighs? 
3. Does the shoulder belt fit securely and comfortably between the neck and shoulder? 
4. Can the child stay seated like this for the entire trip?

If the answer to any of the test questions is NO, the child is NOT ready to be safely transported in the seat belt only, and should continue to ride in a booster or other appropriate child safety seat.

REMEMBER these important safety points:

• The back seat is the safest place for all passengers, especially for children under 13 years. 
• Airbags and children do not mix! Never, under any circumstances, put a rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag. 
• Keep babies rear-facing to at least one year AND 20 pounds. Many convertible seats can be used rear-facing up to 33 or 35 pounds, which is much safer for the toddler, in the event of a crash.

Child Passenger Safety Subcommittee of Safe Kids Napa Valley

Child Passenger Safety Subcommittee of Safe Kids Napa Valley is a local group with the mission to reduce motor vehicle related deaths and injuries among children in Napa County, through public education, advocacy and child passenger safety programs and services. Napa County Car Seat Safety Program serves affiliate agencies, departments, hospitals, family service organizations, health and child care providers, and other professionals and individuals. For more information about Safe Kids Napa Valley Chapter, please call Molly Arnott at (707) 252-1123 ext.118 or e-mail: Cope Family Center.  

• View our roster of folks who can help you install your car seat correctly at no cost
• En Espanol roster of folks who can help you install your car seat correctly at no cost   
• View our The Littlest Passenger: Even the best of us forget!

Check out these Web sites for more information on child passenger safety:

• Carseat Information Answers the questions: Is your car seat safe? Has it been recalled? What is the proper way to install a car seat? Also has printable handouts for parents and caregivers.
• Child Safety Seats-Frequently Asked Questions Answers from the California Highway Patrol about the 2012 Child Passenger Safety Law. 
• "Child Safety" Web Site Provides information, reports, instructions, reviews of products and other information regarding child safety in vehicles.
• Carseat Basics California Department of Public Health Vehicle Occupant Safety Program; information on car seat basics, laws and regulations, training courses and injury data.
• Safe Kids A national and worldwide organization dedicated to reducing and preventing unintentional childhood injuries and deaths.
• 4kidssake A nationwide, 501(c) 3, non-profit organization with the mission to protect our children from preventable injuries and death, in and around cars.
• Child Carseat Safety Resources on child passenger safety and instructional videos.