Child Safety Seat Program

Is Your Child In the Right Car Seat?

Car Seat Check-up

Correctly installing a child safety seat can be challenging.

The Maternal Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) can help. Please call the MCAH program to schedule a time to get your car seat check by a certified child passenger safety technician.

Call the MCAH program at: (530) 458-0380 or 1(800) 655-3110

The MCAH program in collaboration with First 5 Colusa and the local California Highway Patrol host an annual Car Seat Check-up event in the fall. Call the MCAH program for more information.

Car Seat Classes

Classes are currently being held at the local Family Action Centers and First 5 Colusa by a certified car seat technician. Classes are held monthly in English and in Spanish. As part of the class, the technician will assist in the proper installation of your car seat.

The cost of the class is $20.00 and families may qualify for a free car seat. Please call or go to First 5 Colusa or the Family Action Centers at least three days prior to the scheduled class to register and pay.

2018 Car Seat Class Schedule (PDF)

Please call the Family Action Centers or First 5 Colusa to sign up for a class.

  • First 5 Colusa 458-5555
  • Arbuckle Family Action Center 476-0822
  • Williams Family Action Center 473-5400

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Additional Resources:

Visit the following link for more information on car seat laws and child passenger safety.

Child Safety

Parents and Caregivers

Leaving Kids Alone in Hot Cars-Know the Risks and Consequences

Risks

  • In 10 minutes, a car can heat up 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Cracking a window does little to keep the car cool.
  • With temperatures in the 60s, your car can heat up to well above 110 degrees.
  • A child's body temperature can rise up to five times faster than an adult's.
  • Heatstroke can happen when a temperature is as low as 57 degrees outside!
  • A child dies when his/her temperature reaches 107.

Consequences

  • The heat-related death of a child.
  • It is against California law to leave a child under the age of seven alone in the car without supervision of a person at least 12 years old if: The keys are in the ignition or the car is running, or
    There is significant risk to the child.

 Prevention Tips to Avoid a Tragic Heatstroke

  • Never leave a child alone.
  • Don't let your kids play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them that a vehicle is not a play area.
  • Never leave infants or children in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are partially open.
  • Keep a large teddy bear or another stuffed animal in the car seat when it is empty. Move the teddy bear to the front seat when you place the child in the car seat as a visual reminder.
  • If you are dropping your children off at childcare, but normally your spouse or partner drops them off, have your spouse or partner call you to make sure they were not left in the car.
  • Become vigilant about looking in the vehicle before locking the door. Always look front and back before walking away-always!

 BYSTANDERS DON'T BE AFRAID TO ACT

States have "Good Samaritan" laws that protect people from lawsuits for getting involved while helping a person in an emergency. If you see a child locked in a parked car for more than 5 minutes:

  • First make sure the child is okay and responsive. If not, call 911 immediately.
  • If the child appears okay, you should attempt to locate the parents; or have the facility's security or management page the car owner over a PA system.
  • If there is someone with you, one person should actively search for the parent while the other waits at the car.
  • If the child is not responsive and appears in great distress, attempt to get into the car to assist the child, even if that means breaking a window.
  • If the child is in distress due to heat, get the child out of the car as quickly as possible. Cool the child rapidly (not in an ice bath) by spraying the child with cool water.

Car safety seat information, driver safety, vehicle safety, laws and regulations, comparison auto insurance costs, latest recalls and much more! Visit and bookmark the website for National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).