Public Health Department Expands Child Car Seat Safety Program

The Pasadena Public Health Department has increased the number of child passenger safety technicians serving the community from zero to eight as part of an ongoing initiative aimed at reducing one of the leading causes of death for young children in California.

The expansion is part of work conducted by the department’s Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program with support from the Pasadena Child Health Foundation and in partnership with Los Angeles County. The effort responds to a sobering statistic: motor vehicle crashes remain one of the top ten leading causes of death for children ages 1 to 14 in California, and in 2023, 43% of children killed in car crashes were unrestrained. Proper use of child restraints reduces injuries and fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.

Manuel Carmona, Director of Public Health, reported that department staff hosted a drive-through car seat check-up event in the south parking lot of the Jackie Robinson Recreation Center on Saturday, June 13, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Injury Prevention Program. A total of 23 car seat checks were conducted, and six car seats were replaced at no cost to the families.

Pasadena Public Health Department staff assessed how children were secured, evaluated car seat installation, checked for seat damage or expiration, and reviewed recall information. If a car seat is determined to be damaged, expired, or involved in a significant collision, families are provided with a replacement seat to ensure the child’s safety. Families also receive education on proper installation, California’s car seat laws, safe sleep practices, and the risks associated with high temperatures inside vehicles.

The safest car seat is one that fits both the child and the vehicle, and parents and caregivers should assess proper fit and learn when to transition from rear-facing to forward-facing seats. These efforts play a critical role in keeping Pasadena’s children safe by helping reduce preventable injuries in the community.

Pasadena Public Health Department staff provide car seat safety checks at community events and by appointment. Residents interested in having a car seat checked can contact the department’s Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program at (800) 304-0015 or MCAH@CityOfPasadena.net.