C.A.R.E. stands for Child seat Awareness and Restraint Education. This York County program is designed to educate and assist citizens with selecting and installing child restraints in their vehicles.
If you are a parent or caregiver of a child and are in need of assistance with car seat selection, installation, or education, please contact the Department of Fire and Life Safety at 890-3600 (M-F between 8:15 am and 5:00 pm). We will be happy to assist you. Our C.A.R.E. Program is conducted by Fire and Life Safety personnel who have successfully completed the requirements for certification and who are currently nationally-certified technicians. You may choose to drop by your nearest fire station for assistance without an appointment; however, a technician may not be on duty. To better serve you and ensure the location and availability of a technician, citizens are strongly encouraged to schedule appointments through our Public Educator at 890-3600.
Road injuries are the leading cause of preventable deaths and injuries to children all across the United States. The best way to keep your child safe in a vehicle is to use the correct car seat and be sure it is installed correctly. A properly fitted and installed car seat can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71%.
News to Use: (source VDH)
- Virginia Law requires that all children age seven years and younger (until the eighth birthday) be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat. There is no height or weight requirement.
- Safety seats must be properly used and approved to meet Department of Transportation standards. The Virginia law is based on age and proper usage. Proper selection and use of a safety seat regarding weight and height are in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer of the safety seat. Rear-facing child restraint devices must be placed in the back seat of a vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a back seat, the child restraint device may be placed in the front passenger seat only if the vehicle is either not equipped with a passenger-side airbag or the passenger-side airbag has been turned off.
- Effective July 1, 2019: Children are to ride in a rear-facing safety seat until the age of two or the child reaches the minimum weight limit for a forward-facing safety seat as prescribed by the safety seat manufacturer. The best and safest practice is to leave a child rear facing to the maximum limits specified on the child's safety seat.
- Children can no longer ride unrestrained in the rear cargo area of vehicles.
- Seat belts in our vehicles are designed to fit those who are at least 4’9″ tall. A seatbelt will fit correctly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt fits across the chest.
What to bring with you to your scheduled visit:
- Your child, if possible, so the technician can check the child’s fit in the car seat
- The child safety seat, all included parts and manufacturer’s instructions
- Your car owner’s manual
Please note that in the event of a 911 call or emergency, the technician may not be able to honor your appointment. It may be delayed or interrupted. We will do our very best to accommodate you.
It is extremely important to register your child’s safety seat so that you will be promptly alerted about any future recalls or safety notices. You will also receive guidance through any replacement processes. Please take the time to fill out and mail the registration card that came with your car seat. It already has your car seat’s information. You may also choose to register online using the information from the manufacturer’s sticker located on the car seat.
If you would like to investigate on your own, here are some helpful videos and links to assist you in selecting and correctly installing your child's safety seat.
For more information, please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Virginia Department of Health.
For more information about Virginia Car Safety Laws: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/child-passenger-safety/virginia-laws/