As part of the Darien Police Department’s traffic safety education and awareness program, specially trained police officers are available to install and inspect child safety seats. These officers can also provide instruction on the proper use of the seats.

While the first step in protecting child passengers is to have and use a child safety seat, the second step is to ensure the safety seat is properly installed in the vehicle. On average, 90 percent of the child safety seats inspected were improperly installed, were improper for the type of vehicle they were installed in, or were otherwise defective.

Child safety seats that are improperly installed or are excessively worn will not provide a child passenger with the protection they need. Child safety seats vary greatly by type, style and manufacturer. These differences can be so great that a child safety seat that fits properly in one vehicle may not properly fit in another vehicle.

Child safety seat owners must pay attention to safety seat information even after the seat is installed. Child safety seats sometimes are recalled by manufacturers, so safety seat owners should pay attention to all seat recall notices. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation provides safety seat recall information.

For Additional Information on Seatbelt Laws and Restraint Devices:

Car Seat Information from Connecticut Safe Kids

Visit Connecticut DOT for important information on your child's carseat