Parents receive free car seat check-up in Santa Barbara

First-time parents got a crash course on car seat safety on Saturday.

About 85 cars showed up to Franklin Elementary School to get their child’s car seat evaluated.

Cottage Health Trauma Services and the California Highway Patrol hosted the free event.

One nurse said that many parents are unaware that four out of five car seats are installed or adjusted incorrectly.

About 60 car seats were exchanged at the event if staff determined they were no longer were safe for the child.

“I didn’t know any steps,” said Armando Chavez, a first-time father. “I just knew how to take it out of the box and put it in the car, but I didn’t know how to safely place it in.”

Cottage staff gave Chavez a new car seat. The new car seats were made possible by the Graco Grant which was obtained by Santa Barbara Cottage Safe Kids Coalition.

New California state laws require children less than two years old to be rear-facing unless they weigh 40 pounds or more, or are at least 40 inches tall. Also, children under eight years old must be buckled into a car seat or a booster in the back seat. Only children who are at least eight years old and 57 inches tall or taller can ride in the back seat without a booster.

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