Child car seat safety

Car crashes are the top cause of death for children under the age of 15. By law, all babies and children must use a well-fitting car seat to keep them safe while riding in a car. Our Child Passenger Safety Program educates families and gives support to make sure that their children’s car seats fit them correctly and will keep them from getting hurt in case of a car crash.

Who is eligible?

• Low-income families who are residents of Santa Clara County
• Families with young children who get services from one (or more) of these programs:
  • Cash aid
  • Medi-Cal
  • ​Head Start

For questions about services and to find out if you qualify, call toll-free: 1 (800) 310-2332.

Did you know? By California law,

• 

  Children under 2 years old must use a car seat that faces toward the back of the car until they weigh 40 pounds or more, or they are at least 40 inches tall.

• Children under age 8 must be buckled into a car seat or booster in the back seat of the car.
• Children age 8 or older, or who are 4’9” or taller, may use the car's built-in seat belt if it fits the right way.
  • The lap belt must sit low on the child's hips and touch their upper thighs, and the shoulder belt must cross the center of the child's chest.
  • If a child is not tall enough for the car's seat belt to fit exactly like this, the child must ride in a booster or car seat.

How can I keep my child as safe as possible in the car?

• To learn about current California Child Safety Seat Laws, visit California Highway Patrol.
• For more information on how to choose the right car seat and the safest way to install it in your car, visit National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Safe Kids​.

Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) Program