Child Passenger Safety Week US: A Guide

What is Child Passenger Safety Week US?

Child Passenger Safety Week in the US is observed annually in September to raise awareness among parents and caregivers about choosing the right car seat for a child’s age and size, and about proper installation. It falls on September 21-27 in 2025, coinciding with a special “National Seat Check Saturday” on September 27 offering free instruction for correct car seat use. The week emphasizes the importance of using car seats, booster seats, and seat belts correctly to keep children safe on every trip.

Importance

Child Passenger Safety Week is important because it reinforces the role of federal school safety laws and broader traffic safety regulations in protecting children on the road. By promoting awareness of proper car seat use and installation, the campaign ensures that families understand how to safeguard children during travel. This observance highlights that safety is not only a legal requirement but also a critical responsibility for caregivers.

The week also emphasizes the life-saving impact of using the right car seat, booster, or seat belt for a child’s size and age. A study done by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) found that at least 150,000 children were injured in traffic crashes in 2022, with an average of 3 children killed every day.  While these numbers fluctuate every year, it underscores the urgent need for continued awareness and action. Through education and free seat check events, families and businesses can gain the knowledge and confidence to keep children safe on every trip.

How to Enhance Child Passenger Safety

As child passenger safety week approaches, it’s important for everyone to take steps to improve the safety of children when in vehicles. Here are a few ways to do so:

Choose the Right Car Seats

Selecting the correct car seat depends on a child’s age, height, and weight, ensuring maximum protection during travel. Rear-facing seats are recommended for infants and toddlers, while older children transition to forward-facing seats and booster seats as they grow. Choosing the right seat reduces the risk of injury in crashes and helps meet legal safety requirements.

Proper Installation

Even the best car seat cannot protect a child if it is not installed correctly. Many parents struggle with installation, which is why certified technicians and community seat check events are valuable resources. Correct installation ensures that the seat remains stable, distributes crash forces safely, and provides the intended level of protection.

Seat Belts and Seat Positioning

As children outgrow booster seats, ensuring proper use of seat belts becomes critical for safety. Vehicle drivers or guardians should ensure the lap belt should rest snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach, and the shoulder belt should lie across the chest and shoulder, not the neck. Children under 13 should always ride in the back seat, where they are safest in the event of a crash.

How Organizations Can Participate

Ways to Participate in Child Passenger Safety Week

Organizations that transport children, such as school bus operators and public transportation businesses, should use this week to highlight the importance of child passenger safety. There are various ways for teams to do this, such as the following:

Host Car Seat Check Events

Organizations can host free car seat check events where parents and caregivers receive hands-on guidance from trained professionals. These events allow families to verify proper installation and learn best practices tailored to their child’s age and size. By making checks accessible, teams help reduce misuse and increase confidence in car seat safety.

Partner With Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians

Working with certified technicians ensures that accurate and trusted information reaches the community. Technicians can provide demonstrations, answer questions, and correct common mistakes in car seat use. Partnerships strengthen the credibility of events and reinforce the importance of expert guidance in child passenger safety.

Provide Educational Workshops for Parents and Caregivers

Educational workshops give parents and caregivers a structured environment to learn about child passenger safety. These sessions can cover topics like choosing the right car seat, correct belt positioning, and common installation errors. Workshops empower families with knowledge and skills they can apply immediately.

Distribute Digital Safety Materials and Resources

Teams can distribute digital brochures, checklists, and online guides or modules to reinforce key safety messages to children’s families. Providing these resources ensure families have easy reference materials for everyday use. Sharing these tools also helps extend the reach of Child Passenger Safety Week beyond a single event.

Run Awareness Campaigns on Social Media

Social media campaigns allow organizations to reach a wider audience with consistent safety messages. Posts, videos, and infographics can highlight important tips and promote local events. By engaging online communities, teams raise awareness and encourage more families to prioritize child passenger safety.

Manage Child Passenger Safety with Technology

In addition to the various ways for teams to enhance child passenger safety, it’s also important to stay updated with technology that can help achieve this goal. Modern technological advancements made in recent years are especially helpful in doing so, such as child seat sensors that help ensure young children are safe in vehicles.

There are also other types of technology that have  made it easier for vehicle drivers and organizations to ensure children passenger safety during all stage of transportation. One example is a digital safety solution that can be used on mobile devices, helping with vehicle inspections, quality checks, and issue reporting. This type of tool often has the following features:

• Digital Checklists - Helps teams conduct systematic safety checks on vehicles, seats, and equipment to ensure compliance with child safety standards

• Instant Notifications and Reports - Provides clear documentation of safety practices and compliance, building trust with parents, schools, and regulators

• Asset Management - Allows organizations to track and maintain critical equipment such as seat belts, booster seats, and bus safety systems efficiently

• TrainingModules - Offers interactive training for drivers and staff, ensuring they stay updated on the latest child passenger safety protocols

• Real-Time Monitoring - Enables school bus operators to track vehicle conditions, routes, and passenger safety in real time, allowing for quick responses to potential issues