Illinois Department of Transportation

09/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2026 10:01

Free car seat checks this Saturday, take time to make sure your child is in the right seat

SPRINGFIELD - National Seat Check Saturday is this weekend, with the Illinois Department of Transportation reminding parents and caregivers to take advantage of free car seat checking stations throughout the state. Technicians will be available to determine if your child is in the right car seat, provide instruction on how to install it correctly and explain the importance of registering with manufacturers in case of a recall.

"Whatever kind of seat you use, a certified child passenger safety technician can put your mind at ease by confirming it's the right one and showing you how to correctly install it," said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, IDOT's bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. "Don't put children at risk. Take advantage of this opportunity to make sure they're in the right seat."

Crashes are a leading cause of death for children, with the latest research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showing that 46% of car seats are misused. Common issues include children being in the wrong type of car seat for their age and size as well as car seats being installed incorrectly. In 2025, 25 children under 14 were killed in traffic crashes in Illinois.

To find a seat check station in your area, visit https://idot.click/child-seat-check.

In Illinois, children must remain rear-facing until age 2, however, all caregivers are encouraged to keep their child rear-facing as long as possible. Always follow the car seat and vehicle manufacturer harnessing instructions as well as height and weight limitations for rear-facing installation.

Booster seats are an essential step between car seats and seat belts. The transitional seats position the seat belt so that it fits properly over the stronger parts of your child's body. The law requires all children to be in a car seat or booster seat until at least age 8. Don't feel pressured to put your child in a seat belt too soon. If your child is ready to use a seat belt, ensure the seat belt fits correctly.

Tips on child passenger safety:

  • Children should ride in the back seat at least through age 12.
  • If your kids complain about wearing seat belts, don't negotiate. Don't drive until they buckle up.
  • Parents and caregivers can model safety. Research shows there is a strong correlation between adults who buckle up and the seat belt use of child passengers.
  • Don't purchase a car seat from someone without knowing the history.
  • The life of a car seat or booster seat varies by each make and model. Make sure you are not using an expired seat. Make sure the seat does not have any recalls. Check for recalls by clicking here.
  • If you are unable to take part in National Seat Check Saturday, schedule a car seat installation with a certified child passenger safety technician. You can find one in your area by clicking here.

The national Child Passenger Safety Week campaign is made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered through IDOT. ​

For more information, visit Buckle Up Illinois or www.nhtsa.gov/therightseat.

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Seat check Saturday event list 2026.pdf
Illinois Department of Transportation published this content on September 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 23, 2026 at 16:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]