National Child Passenger Safety Week Raises Awareness About Proper Car Seat Use
By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
Parents and caregivers throughout Eagle Pass and Maverick County are being encouraged to make sure children are properly secured inside their vehicles as National Child Passenger Safety Week is observed from September 20 through September 26, 2026.
The annual safety campaign emphasizes the importance of selecting the correct car seat or booster seat for a child’s age, height and weight while ensuring that it is properly installed.
According to transportation safety officials, approximately 46 percent of child safety seats nationwide are installed incorrectly or are inappropriate for the child using them. Even a small installation mistake could prevent a car seat from providing its full protection during a collision.
The Texas Department of Transportation reported that 69 children younger than 13 were killed and another 583 suffered serious injuries in traffic crashes across Texas during 2025.
Car crashes remain one of the leading causes of death among children. However, correctly installed car seats, booster seats and properly worn seat belts can significantly reduce the likelihood of death or serious injury.
Texas law requires children younger than eight years old to ride in an appropriate child safety seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Drivers who fail to comply with the requirement could face a fine of up to $250.
Parents should check that the car seat is securely attached and does not move more than one inch from side to side or from front to back. Harness straps should fit snugly against the child’s body, and the chest clip should remain positioned at armpit level.
Children should also remain in rear-facing seats for as long as permitted by the car-seat manufacturer’s height and weight limits. Once they outgrow a forward-facing car seat, children should use a booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits them correctly.
Transportation officials recommend that children younger than 13 ride in the back seat because it generally provides greater protection during a serious collision.
Child Passenger Safety Week will conclude with National Seat Check Saturday on September 26.
Parents and caregivers may use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s online Car Seat Finder to determine which type of seat is appropriate for their child.
The observance provides local families with an opportunity to inspect their child’s car seat and correct any problems before an emergency occurs. A few minutes spent checking a car seat could help prevent a tragedy and protect a child’s life.
