What NHTSA is asking parents to do
Child Passenger Safety Week runs Sept. 20 to 26, and NHTSA is using it to push parents to confirm the seat they are using actually matches their child's age and size (opens in a new tab). The agency set National Seat Check Saturday for Sept. 26, with free seat check events around the country staffed by certified technicians. At those events, technicians help with installation and inspect seats that are already in vehicles.
The agency points parents to its car seat safety page, which lists four main seat types and publishes ease-of-use ratings for individual seats. NHTSA also offers The Right Seat, a tool that gives recommendations based on a child's age and size. Parents are advised to read both the car seat manual and the vehicle owner's guide, then visit an inspection station to confirm the installation is secure.
What parents should know about seat fit and recalls
NHTSA recommends keeping children in a seat until they have outgrown it. Boosters remain necessary for many 8- to 12-year-olds, the agency says, and it identifies rear seating as safest for children younger than 13. Its guidance also covers choosing suitable seats for taxi and ride-share trips and setting an example by buckling up each time.
Parents should register their car seats with the manufacturer so they receive recall notifications. Suspected seat defects or failures to meet regulations can be reported to NHTSA. The agency also warns never to leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even briefly, and to call 911 right away if a child is seen alone in a vehicle.
Inspections are also available outside the event dates. According to NHTSA, many fire departments, children's hospitals and local law enforcement agencies offer appointments throughout the year.