Safe and Secure Car Seats: Made Easy with Free Inspections and Installs

Wondering how to install a car seat for your child or if you’ve installed it correctly?

The Cambridge Police Department is here to help. They offer free child passenger safety training, where an officer will inspect and teach the proper installation of car seats to any Cambridge resident.

Proper car seat installation is crucial for keeping children safe on the road. The Cambridge Police Department is committed to providing this essential service to residents, ensuring that every child travels safely. If you’re a parent or caregiver in Cambridge, take advantage of this free program to ensure your child’s car seat is properly installed and secure.

Properly installing and inspecting car seats, booster seats, and seatbelts can significantly reduce the risk of serious injuries and fatalities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car seats can reduce injury risk by 71–82% in the event of a crash.

Not only are car seats essential for children’s safety, but they are also required by law. Under Massachusetts law, any passenger under the age of eight must be secured in a child passenger restraint system unless they are over 57 inches tall. Violating this law can result in a fine of up to $25.

Many parents and guardians have questions about car seats, and mistakes are common. Some of the most frequent errors include:

• Using mirrors on rear-facing car seats: While parents or guardians often place mirrors to keep an eye on their child, these can become dangerous in a crash.
• Loose or tangled seatbelts: A child’s seatbelt should be snug and flat against their body, with no twists or slack.
• Incorrect use of the LATCH system: The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system should be properly secured from top to bottom, but straps often get twisted, reducing effectiveness.

Cambridge residents can schedule a car seat inspection by calling the Police Department’s Child Safety Seat Installation team at (617) 349-3238. Once an appointment is made, Officer David Szeto, who has over 25 years of experience inspecting child car seats, will ensure the seat meets safety requirements and is correctly installed.

Szeto recalls a case where a properly installed car seat saved a child’s life in a rear-end collision. The grateful father later thanked him for his help, underscoring the importance of car seat safety. One of the biggest challenges parents or guardians face when purchasing a car seat is the cost. Car seats can be expensive, often costing hundreds of dollars. Officer William Macedo advises parents or guardians to stay within their budget when selecting a seat. While all car seats on the market meet safety standards, some offer additional comfort and extra features.

For parents or guardians who cannot afford a car seat, the Cambridge Police Department may have free car seats available. Szeto encourages families in need to reach out and to if a car seat can be provided.

Officers conducting these inspections receive specialized training from Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit organization dedicated to child safety. With their expertise, they ensure that parents and
guardians are equipped with the knowledge to keep their children secure.

For more information on car seat safety, visit https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/cambridgepolice/Services or call (617) 349-3238.