Certified technicians will help parents know if they have the right car seat to maximize their child’s safety in a vehicle collision during a free session on April 28.

The car seat checks that also includes instructions to make sure they are used properly are being conducted at Manteca Fire station 4 at 1465 West Lathrop Road, west of Union Road.

The hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. om Tuesday, April 28.

Space is limited. Call 209-456-8300 to make an appointment.

The free program is being offered through a cooperative effort of Manteca Fire, the City of Manteca, and San Joaquin County Public Health Services.

Car seats and booster seats provide protection for infants and children in a crash, yet car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13.

 It's important to choose the right seat and use it correctly every time your child is in the car and know when it’s safe for your kid to transition to a seat belt.

 Four key points regarding child car seats are:

*Drastically Reduced Risk: Correct car seat usage reduces fatal injury risk by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.

*Age and Size Specificity: Seats are designed for specific developmental stages—rear-facing for infants, forward-facing for toddlers, and boosters for older children—to ensure the best fit and protection.

*Protection Against Sudden Forces: Rear-facing seats protect the head, neck, and spine, while booster seats position children so seat belts fit over strong bones rather than the stomach.

*Preventing Ejection/Severe Injury: A properly buckled seat keeps children secure, preventing them from being thrown around or ejected during a crash.