As part of Child Passenger Safety Week, the Turlock Police Department wants to make sure children are in the right child safety seat.
Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 19 - 25 and focuses on educating parents and caregivers about the importance of choosing, installing, and using the correct car seat.
“Your plate is always full as a parent, but the goal for this week is to offer parents and caregivers the time to make sure their child is as safe as possible in the car,”  Turlock Police Captain Steven Williams said.
 According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children, and nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused.
California law requires a child to be properly secured in a safety seat until they are at least eight years of age. Children eight and older, who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height, may ride in the backseat of a vehicle in a properly fitted safety belt. Children under the age of two must ride rear-facing or until they reach 40 pounds or 40 inches in height. 
To learn more about the Turlock Police Department car seat program, contact Crime Prevention Specialist Erika Grace at 209-656-3153 or egrace@turlock.ca.us.