Houston Child Passenger Safety

Is your child under 8 years or shorter than 4'9"? If so, they need a car seat. Every Trip, Every Time!

Texas requires that EVERYONE riding in a vehicle buckle up and children younger than 8 (unless taller than 4’9″) MUST be secured in a child safety seat or booster.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children ride in safety seats until they are 8 years old AND 4’9″.

Illustration of a person measuring the height of a child.

Would you like to help us provide better information about children riding in cars?

Texas A&M Transportation Institute would appreciate your feedback on the information you receive on how your child(ren) should ride in your vehicle. Your participation is voluntary, and your responses are confidential. Please complete the short form at https://forms.gle/JnUusNnUmQ4uMnQU7.

SAFE Kids Greater Houston

Safe Kids Greater Houston is led by Texas Children’s Hospital, which provides dedicated and caring staff, operation support and other resources to assist in achieving our common goal: keeping your kids safe. Based on the needs of the community, this coalition implements evidence-based programs, such as car-seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics, that help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries.

Please make an appointment with a car seat technician by visiting safekidsgreaterhouston.org or leaving a message on their car seat line, (832) 822-2277.

Car seat appointments are on a first come, first serve basis, and do book quickly. Appointments are required as there are no drive-up appointments. If you have a child on the way, it is best to schedule a car seat appointment months before the birth.

Houston TXDOT Traffic Safety Specialists

Texas Department of Transportation-Houston
7600 Washington Ave
Houston, TX 77007

Seat Check Availability

Schedule:

Every Wednesday from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Appointment Required:

YES.

Contact

Trey Salinas
[email protected]
(281) 455-8281

Charles Lunkwitz
[email protected]
(936) 689-6399

Save Me With A Seat

Make sure your child is in a properly installed and correct sized car seat.

A website created by the Texas Department of Transportation, helps Texas residents find safe car seats in their local areas across the state, and provides guidance and important information about the various stages of car seat use.

American Academy of Pediatrics

A parenting website backed by 67​,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

This website provides information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about choosing the most appropriate car safety seat for your child as well as installation tips.

Child Passenger Safety Fact Sheet

Car seats save lives.

  • NHTSA estimates that since 1975, child restraints have saved the lives of 11,606 children under the age of 5.
  • A NHTSA study found that while most parents and caregivers believe they know how to correctly install their car seats, about half (46%) have installed their child’s car seat incorrectly. 

Many assets are available in English and Spanish.

Check for Car Seat Safety Issues and Recalls

Search vehicles, car seats, tires and other equipment for safety recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communication.

Texas A&M Transportation Institute

For questions concerning the recent child passenger study, please contact Alicia Nelson at [email protected].

If you participated in the study, you may also contact the Human Research Protection Program at Texas A&M University (which is a group of people who review the research to protect your rights) by phone at 1-979-458-4067, toll free at 1-855-795-8636, or by email at [email protected] for:

  • additional help with any questions about the research
  • voicing concerns or complaints about the research
  • obtaining answers to questions about your rights as a research participant
  • concerns in the event the research staff could not be reached
  • the desire to talk to someone other than the research staff