On a windy Wednesday afternoon, California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Mark Andrews stands in front of a demonstration table featuring two car seats with teddy bears and a copy of The Latch, an intimidatingly thick car seat installation manual.
It’s day two of the CHP Car Seat Check-Up, the first event of its kind in collaboration with UC San Francisco’s Laurel Heights Child Development Center, Bright Horizons. Signups for the event filled up quickly, with 21 car seat checks completed over the two afternoons.
Center Director Kristina Langner, who participated in the check-up herself, was impressed by how convenient and valuable the event was for busy parents.
“UCSF has been really great at setting up events through all four of our centers, creating that relationship, and also just offering things our parents might need and want,” Langner said.
Child Passenger Safety Technician Frank Yee guides parent Rachel White through car seat installation During the training, Child Passenger Safety Technicians guide caregivers through every step of a car seat’s installation, taking into consideration the specific car model, seat type, and their child’s weight and height.
“Sometimes as a parent, we do everything correctly, coming to a complete stop at an intersection where it’s required, checking both ways to make sure the intersection is clear, proceeding safely into the intersection, but someone else who may not be following the rules or is distracted, fails to do what they are supposed to do and a crash happens,” Andrews said.
According to a press release from the CHP this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that child safety seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
However, the efficacy of each seat depends on proper installation. Andrews observed that more than half of car seats inspected during CHP check-ups could be corrected in some way to improve a child’s safety.
“We want to make sure that we do our part to make sure the parents are knowledgeable in utilizing the seat properly and make sure it’s installed properly.”
Andrews was accompanied by Frank Yee, a long-time member of the CHP’s Senior Volunteer Program who designed a detailed pamphlet on proper seat selection and use.
"I don't have children, so my contribution to keep the generations moving forward is to make sure the children are safe," Yee said.
Vanessa Muniz-Wong, Bright Horizons Instructional Coach, shared how important the check-up service has been, not just for the parents, but their extended network.
“We have a lot of families who have caregivers who take care of the children, so once they know how to install them, they can also show their family members, so I think it goes down the line,” Muniz-Wong said.
Rachel White, a Project Coordinator in the School of Nursing at UCSF, was able to receive guidance for two different seat installations.
“It’s great to have something as important as this be expert-approved. I left with the safest possible car seat installed as securely as possible in the safest part of the car and with knowledge that applies to my use of car seats for many years,” White said.
Community member Valeria Pinacho received support on car seat fitting for two vehicles and left feeling confident in her child’s safety.
“I have peace of mind now knowing that [the car seat] was installed correctly. I didn’t know that putting it in the middle was the best choice,” Pinacho said, “I’m happy that we got to make sure everything was safe for him.”
For Nathalie Larsen, Director of UCSF Family Services, events like these are valuable ways to build community and support a child's development.
“Having events such as these helps families in their day-to-day responsibilities and casts a wider community support system for families. It also helps children make connections with public service professionals, widening their scope of understanding of the world around them.”
The San Francisco CHP is collaborating with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals and the Childhood Injury Prevention Network to host a car seat fitting on September 28th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CHP Office located at 455 Eighth Street.
To reserve your spot, call 415-276-5300.