COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina Department of Public Health is kicked off child passenger safety week on Sunday. State leaders say the goal of this week is to ensure the proper use and installation of child safety seats in vehicles across the state.

According to the 2024 National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) database, 58% of seats that were inspected by Child Passenger Safety Technicians were found to be installed or used improperly.

“Car seats are engineered to spread crash forces across the strongest parts of a child’s body, but they can only provide this protection when they are properly installed and used,” said Emily Barb, Health Educator for DPH’s Child Passenger Program.

To help make sure that parents and adults are safely transporting their children, the Department of Public Health is holding multiple car seat inspections throughout South Carolina this week. The department will also be hosting educational activities.

A properly installed car seat can significantly reduce the chance of a major injury to a child. The DPH also suggests transitioning children to a booster seat when they reach age 4, rather than relying on the seat belt.