Saturday, September 26, 2026, is National Seat Check Saturday
Press release
Every year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) partners with local communities to hold Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs this year from September 20-26. The annual safety week ends with National Seat Check Saturday, when parents and caregivers can receive free instruction on how to correctly install and use the right car seats for their children. The City of Batavia Fire Department announced today that certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will offer free car seat safety checks on Saturday, September 27, 2026, from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. at City of Batavia Fire Headquarters. Technicians will inspect car seats, confirm that children are in the appropriate seats for their ages and sizes, and demonstrate proper installation.
Unfortunately, many parents are overconfident in their car seats. They think they’re protecting their kids, but almost half of car seats are either the wrong seat for the child’s age and size or are installed incorrectly. This puts children at risk. According to NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children. In 2023, an average of three children 14 and younger were killed in crashes each day, and another 429 were injured. We know parents love their kids, so they’ll do everything in their power to protect them. An easy way to do that is to double-check their car seats — it’s worth making sure.
According to NHTSA, more than a third (39%) of children 14 and younger who died in crashes in 2023 in cars, pickups, vans, and SUVs were unbuckled. The safety agency wants caregivers to know that it’s never safe to ride unbuckled in a passenger vehicle—no matter how short the trip or how big the vehicle. More than half (52%) of child passengers 14 and younger killed in pickup trucks in 2023 were unrestrained—more than in any other vehicle category. Bigger vehicles don’t protect child passengers, but car seats, booster seats, and seat belts do.
When it comes to child passengers, there is a right seat for every age and developmental stage — from infants to teens. Whether it’s a rear-facing car seat, a forward-facing car seat installed with a tether, a booster seat, or a seat belt, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can put parents’ minds at ease by discussing the correct car seat selection and showing them how to install it properly in their vehicle. Children should remain in each seat and position until they outgrow those limits, and it’s important for all children under 13 to ride in the back seat.
If Saturday’s times don’t work with your schedule but you’d still like to have your car seats checked, contact the City of Batavia Fire Department at 585-345-6375 to schedule an appointment.
NHTSA.gov also offers free resources for caregivers. Learn about the different car seat types, read NHTSA’s research-based recommendations, and find and compare car seats.
It’s also important for caregivers to register their car seats with the manufacturer so they can be notified in the event of a recall. Download NHTSA’s SaferCar app to save vehicle, car seat, and tire information in a virtual garage. If any of the saved equipment is included in a safety recall, the app will send a notification.
For more information on child car seat safety and how to find other car seat check events, visit www.nhtsa.gov/therightseat.
Or Contact Car Seat Program Coordinator
Lieutenant Bob Tedford
585-345-6375
Rtedford@batavianewyork.com