The Alameda Police Department is committed to the safety of our children. Children involved in motor vehicle collisions run a great risk of death or serious injury. A properly installed child safety seat can greatly reduce these factors. California law states each child MUST be properly restrained in a child safety seat, booster seat, or other restraint system in the back seat, until the child is 8 years old OR at least 4'9" in height.
We offer free child safety seat inspections and installations. They are conducted by Car Seat Inspection Specialist Bob Rollins. Mr. Rollins is a 30 year veteran police officer from the City of Berkeley, who is now a volunteer with our department.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- A newborn infant should be in a rear-facing safety seat if under one year of age or weighs less than 20 pounds. (The American Society of Pediatrics recommend no forward facing until AT LEAST 24 months, regardless of size.)
- A toddler should be in a forward facing safety seat until the child exceeds the seat’s height and weight limits.
- A child that is too large for a forward facing safety seat should ride in a booster seat. Children usually need a booster until they are about 4 feet 9 inches tall.
- A child seat should NEVER be installed in a front seat where a frontal airbag is active.
Effective January 1, 2017 - Children under 2 years of age shall ride in a rear-facing car seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds OR is 40 or more inches tall. The child shall be secured in a manner that complies with the height and weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the car seat.
The Alameda Police Department offers FREE car seat inspections and installations. For more information, or to schedule an inspection/installation, call police volunteer Bob Rollins at (510) 337-8590 and leave a message so he can return your call and schedule an appointment.
“In Partnership with Our Community”
