Free Car Seat Checks Across Connecticut for Child Passenger Safety Week

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will host a series of free child passenger safety events in recognition of Child Passenger Safety Week, September 21-27, 2025. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are invited to attend and receive hands-on guidance from certified child passenger safety technicians, who will demonstrate proper car seat installation and use to help keep children safe on the road.

Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death among children. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 700 children tragically lost their lives in passenger vehicle crashes in 2023, with over 125,000 more suffering injuries. In Connecticut in 2023, 48 children under 13 years old were injured due to the lack of restraint use in a crash.

"Keeping our youngest passengers safe must always be a top priority," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Laoise King. "Car seats are proven to save lives, yet nearly half are not installed correctly. Child Passenger Safety Week is an opportunity to give parents and caregivers the tools, information, and support they need to make sure every child is properly secured every time they're on the road."

In 2023, more than a third (43%) of children who died while riding in passenger vehicles were unrestrained. Moreover, a NHTSA study found that while most parents believe they are correctly installing their car seats, about half (46%) are not. Common mistakes include using the wrong type of car seat for the child's age and size and improper installation, both of which can leave children vulnerable in the event of a crash. Properly used car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers in passenger cars.

At each free event, trained technicians will work directly with parents, guardians, and caregivers to provide step-by-step guidance on car seat safety. They will check that each seat is the right fit for the child's age and size and confirm that it is installed correctly. Attendees will also be reminded to register their car seats with the manufacturer to ensure they receive important recall notifications.

Child Seat Check-Up events will be held during Child Passenger Safety Week at the following locations:

• Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Griffin Hospital, Griffin Health Community Outreach parking lot, 4 Mountain St., Derby

To book your free appointment, please email Cathi Kellett at [email protected]

• Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Torrington Police Department, 10 Litchfield Street (Riverview parking lot), Torrington

To book your free appointment, please email Lt. Daniel Matthews at [email protected]

• Thursday, September 25, 2025, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Glastonbury Police Department's car seat clinic will be held at the Glastonbury Fire Department, Company 1, 2825 Main Street, Glastonbury

To book your free appointment, please email Sergey Sharov, at [email protected]

• Saturday, September 27, 2025, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Cromwell Fire Department, Coles Road Firehouse, 105 Coles Road, Cromwell

To book your free appointment, please call Lt. Alan Dominy at 860-385-3880 or email [email protected]

• Saturday, September 27, 2025, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Enfield Central Library, 104 Middle Road, Enfield

To book your free appointment, please email [email protected]

• Saturday, September 27, 2025, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Yale New Haven Health's car seat clinic will be held at the Westport Train Station Lot 1, Charles & Park Street, Westport. To book your free appointment, please call 203-200-KIDS (5437) or email [email protected]

All events are free and open to the public, but appointments must be made in advance where indicated.

Parents, guardians, and caregivers can also visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/therightseat to learn other tips on car seat safety, watch how-to videos, and sign up for car seat recall notifications.