The California Child Passenger Safety Law states that all children must be restrained in an appropriate car seat until they are 6 years old or 60 pounds.

Always use a car seat, starting with you baby’s first ride home from the hospital. It is the law!

Infant and child car seats save lives.A child who is not in a car seat can be seriously injured or killed during a crash or an abrupt stop, even at low speeds. A parent's arms are not strong enough to hold and protect a baby during a car accident. Many unrestrained children die because they are torn from an adult's arms during an accident.

Statistics show that four out of five child safety seats are used incorrectly. The way you install and use a safety seat makes a big difference!

Set a good example for your children by always wearing your own seat belt, and always insist that they buckle up.

Infants in Car Seats

From birth to one year old:

• Car seat must be rear-facing only
• Car seat should recline at a 45-degree angle
• Car seat harness should go through the seat slots at or below your baby’s shoulders
• Chest clip should be at armpit level
• Seat should not move more than one inch in any direction

Tips

If your infant’s head flops forward, the car seat may not be reclined enough. Tilt the car seat back until it is reclined as close as possible to a 45-degree angle.

To better fill empty spaces and give support to small infants, roll up a couple of small blankets and tuck them in on each side of your baby’s shoulders and head. If he/she slumps down, put a rolled diaper between his/her legs behind the crotch strap. (Thick padding should not be put underneath or behind the baby.)

When You Are Ready to Go Home

State law requires that the baby leave the hospital in a car seat. Be sure to have the car seat secured in the back seat.

• Guidelines for safe installation are available at car seat guidelines
• Call 1-866-SEAT-CHECK or visit their website at seat check to find a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) certified seat inspection location.
• For set up visit Setup

Staff and volunteers are unable to assist with the installation of car seats as they are not certified. When you are ready to leave, you and your baby will be taken to the car in a wheelchair by a nurse or volunteer.