8 Out of 10 Child Car Seats Installed Incorrectly, Inspection June 20

Car Seat Inspection. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

A Maui Child Car Seat Inspection and Child ID event takes place this Saturday, June 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Maui Marketplace in Kahului.

Maui child seat checkup event is free and open to the public with checks done on a first come first serve basis.

The inspections take place in the parking lot near Sports Authority and are organized by the non-profit Maui County Child Passenger Safety organization.

Coordinator, Charles Hirata tells Maui Now that inspectors will be instructing parents and caregivers on the proper use and installation of child restraints and will be making Child ID cards as well.

“The most common mistake is installing the seat too loosely and not making the harness snug enough,” said Hirata.  “In many cases the seat belt is not locked, resulting in a loose seat.”

He advised that the first thing parents should do is to read the manual for the car seat and vehicle.  “Infants, especially newborns, need to be at the proper angle to prevent closing their airway,” he said.

According to Hirata, approximately 8 out of 10 seats are installed incorrectly.

The checkup events are held on the third Saturday of the month, with a car seat technician class planned in August.

In Hawaiʻi, passengers eight years and older are required to use a seat belt, no matter where they are in the vehicle.  Children 0-3 years old must be in a child restraint; and kids 4 to 7 years old must be secured in either a child restraint or booster seat.

In addition to the $102 fine for seat belt violations, there is a mandatory court appearance for all drivers found in violation of the child restraint law.