Keeping up with growing children is hard enough, and ensuring they’re in the right car seat can be confusing. Thankfully, registered child passenger safety technicians offer free inspections across Idaho. From providing guidance on car seat selection to assisting with installation, registered techs can help parents and caregivers feel confident knowing they’re using the right seat, the right way.
“A quick inspection and a few simple adjustments can make a big difference.”
— Corporal Kyle Wills: Officer and Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, Boise Police Department
— Corporal Kyle Wills : Officer and Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, Boise Police Department
The National Highway Traffic Administration estimates child safety seats are 69% effective in preventing fatalities and serious injuries. By this estimate, 4 lives were saved by being properly restrained in 2024.
Only 65% of parents involved in crashes placed kids ages 4-6 in child safety seats or booster seats, even though they are too small for seat belts to fit them correctly.
Rear-facing seats offer greater protection in the event of a crash, and child passengers should ride in rear-facing car seats for as long as they fall within the weight and height standards of the seat.
Once your child has exceeded the height and weight limits of a rear-facing seat, they may transition to a forward-facing seat appropriate for their size. Similar to the rear-facing seat phase, child passengers should remain in forward-facing seats with a harness as long as they fall within the height and weight limits.
Once your child has exceeded the height and weight limits of a rear-facing seat, they may transition to a forward-facing seat appropriate for their size. Similar to the rear-facing seat phase, child passengers should remain in forward-facing seats with a harness as long as they fall within the height and weight limits.
Children who have exceeded the height and weight limits of a forward-facing seat may move to a belt-positioning booster. While belt-positioning boosters help guide seat belts over the child properly, it is important that your child understands and is able to maintain correct posture in their seat, ensuring the lap belt crosses their lower hips and the shoulder strap crosses their chest and shoulder, not their neck.
When a child exceeds the height limits of a booster and can sit properly in the vehicle, they might be ready to use a regular seat belt. Be sure to instruct and remind all child passengers on correct seat belt usage, ensuring the strap is always fastened and crossing properly over the body (lap belt across the hips, and shoulder strap across the chest and center of the shoulder).
Due to the threat of injury from airbags in a collision, children under the age of 13 should always ride in the back seat.
When a child exceeds the height limits of a booster and can sit properly in the vehicle, they might be ready to use a regular seat belt. Be sure to instruct and remind all child passengers on correct seat belt usage, ensuring the strap is always fastened and crossing properly over the body (lap belt across the hips, and shoulder strap across the chest and center of the shoulder).
Due to the threat of injury from airbags in a collision, children under the age of 13 should always ride in the back seat.
Use the Shift dashboard technician locator to find a free inspection location near you.
Find resources to learn, educate and spread the word about child passenger safety.
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