HOUSTON – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is taking this opportunity during Child Safety Seat Technician month to remind all motorists about the importance of properly securing a child in a safety seat.
Texas law requires children under the age of 8 to be secured by a child safety seat system unless the child is taller than 4'9". The law also requires the other occupants to wear a safety belt, regardless of their position in the vehicle.
Last year, approximately 41,000 crashes in Texas involved a child under 8 years old. Of those crashes, 118 children suffered serious injuries, and 29 were fatally injured.
A properly installed child safety seat can prevent serious injuries or death. The job of a trained and certified child safety seat technician is to inspect child safety seats and assist parents/caregivers with the proper installation of these life-saving devices.
A parent or operator of a vehicle who is unsure of how to properly install a child safety seat or secure their child in the vehicle is urged to contact a certified child safety seat technician before traveling with a child. DPS offers this service at no charge to the public.
In the Southeast Texas Region, parents/caregivers can contact one of our child passenger safety seat technicians (below) and schedule an appointment.
- Houston area: Sergeant Richard Standifer (281) 517-1338
- Beaumont area: Sergeant Stephanie Davis (409) 924-5400
- Bryan/College Station area: Sergeant Jimmy Morgan (979) 776-3147
DPS reminds drivers—before transporting a child—to review their auto manufacturer's instructions regarding the installation of a child safety seat (found in the owner's manual) and the manual for the child safety seat. Both of these documents provide valuable and life-saving information.
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