Products Liability Law Daily Wrap Up, NHTSA NEWS—MOTOR VEHICLES EQUIPMENT—NHTSA urges parents to use proper car seats for children, (Sep 24, 2026)

By WK Editorial Staff

Child Passenger Safety Week is September 20-26.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding parents and caregivers to ensure children are traveling in the correct car seat or booster seat. The agency said selecting the appropriate seat for a child’s age and size and installing it correctly “can make all the difference for a child in a crash” (NHTSA Press Release (Sept. 21, 2026)).

NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said many parents want to keep their children safe but may be unsure how to choose the right car seat. He said properly installed car seats remain one of the most effective tools for protecting children in vehicle crashes and noted that NHTSA provides information and resources to help parents and caregivers make informed decisions.

Injuries and fatalities. An estimated 160,850 children age 14 and younger were injured in traffic crashes in 2024, while 677 children in that age group died, according to a June 2026 fact sheet. The agency said traffic crashes continue to be a leading cause of death for children.

Correctly installed car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in passenger vehicle crashes by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. However, the agency said about half of all car seats are installed incorrectly, even when caregivers believe they have secured them properly.

Seat inspections, installation assistance. To help address installation issues, communities nationwide will host free car seat inspection events on September 26 as part of National Seat Check Saturday. Certified child passenger safety technicians will provide hands-on assistance with installation and inspections. NHTSA also noted that many fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and children’s hospitals offer car seat inspections by appointment throughout the year.

Safety recommendations. NHTSA encouraged parents and caregivers to learn about the four main types of car seats and determine which seat is appropriate based on a child’s age and size. The agency also recommends reviewing both the car seat manual and the vehicle owner’s guide before installation and having the installation checked at an inspection station.

Additional guidance includes keeping children in their current car seat or booster seat until they outgrow it, ensuring children ages 8 to 12 use booster seats when appropriate, and placing all children under age 13 in the back seat. NHTSA also advises registering car seats with manufacturers to receive recall notices, using appropriate seating in taxis and ride-share vehicles, wearing seat belts on every trip, and never leaving a child unattended in a vehicle.

The agency urged consumers to report suspected car seat defects or products that may not comply with federal safety standards and directed parents and caregivers to its child safety resources for additional information.

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