Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week highlights the critical importance of securing children in vehicles every year, from September 21-27, 2026. This observance urges parents and caregivers to verify car seat installation, understand age and weight requirements, and ensure every child travels safely. Take action this week by attending a car seat check event or reviewing the latest safety guidelines.
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Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week timeline
Child Passenger Safety Technician certification became the norm
Tennessee became the first state to have a child restraint law
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration unveiled federal standards for car seats
The first car seat was made available
Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week FAQs
When is Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week?
Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week 2026 runs from Monday, September 21 through Sunday, September 27. This week is crucial for educating parents and caregivers on best practices for keeping children safe in vehicles.
How many children's lives are saved by car seats?
According to the NHTSA, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers (ages 1-4) in passenger vehicles. These statistics underscore the life-saving impact of proper child restraints.
What are the common mistakes parents make with car seats?
Common mistakes include using the wrong car seat for a child’s age/size, incorrect installation (loose seatbelt or LATCH attachment), improper harness use (straps too loose or chest clip too low), and moving to a booster seat too soon. Many errors can be corrected at a car seat check.
What are the different types of car seats?
There are several types: infant car seats (rear-facing only), convertible car seats (can be rear- or forward-facing), all-in-one car seats (convert from rear-facing to forward-facing to booster), and booster seats (high-back and backless). Each is designed for specific age, weight, and height ranges.
How to Observe Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week
Attend a child restraint inspection event
Get your vehicle and car seats inspected to ensure that you are staying current with all safety recommendations.
Talk about Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week on social media
Highlight child passenger safety on your social media accounts. By spreading the word, you might very well save the life of a child.
Donate a car seat
Before parents can even bring their newest bundle of joy home from the hospital, they need to have a car seat ready to go. Consider donating a new one to a local charity in order to help families in need.
5 Vital Facts About Child Passenger Safety
Get in the back
Until the age of 13, children should ride in the backseat.
Leading cause of death
Road injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S.
Many lives saved
In 2015 alone, over 266 children aged five and under survived saved thanks to proper safety restraint usage.
Keep infants safe
When in a car accident, a car seat can reduce the risk of infant fatality by 71 percent.
Safety check, please
It is estimated that almost half of child safety seats are not installed properly.
Why Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week is Important
Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week draws attention to proper car seat use
Did you know that both The American Academy of Pediatrics and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that children remain in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible? Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week is an excellent time to refresh your car seat knowledge.
Proper safety practices reduce the risk of serious injury and fatalities
Stressing about car seats and seat belts may seem a little frivolous at times, but these things are actually well worth the worry. Proper safety restrains can drastically reduce the likelihood of serious injury or death during a traffic accident.
Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week encourages parents to get seat safety checks
Many people don't know this, but local police departments will gladly do a safety check on your vehicle to ensure that children are being secured properly when riding.
Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 21–27 | Sunday–Saturday |
