Intermountain Health & Utah Highway Safety Office Help Parents Avoid Common Car Seat Mistakes
Sep 24, 2026
Don't skip the tether, move out of boosters too soon, or let children under 13 ride in front seat, advise child passenger safety advocates.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT (PRUnderground) September 24th, 2026
September 20-26 is Child Passenger Safety Week, and Intermountain Health Primary Children's Hospital and the Utah Department of Public Safety's Highway Safety Office are urging parents and caregivers to take a check how their habits keep their children safe in the car.
More than 65% of car seats are installed or used incorrectly, according to national safety data - 67.5% in Utah. This year, local safety experts are moving beyond a simple checklist of rules to explain why each practice matters, in hopes that a better understanding will lead to better habits.
"Parents aren't ignoring the rules on purpose; they often just don't realize how much a small mistake can change the outcome in a crash," said Michelle Jamison, child passenger safety instructor for Intermountain Children's Health. "When you understand what a top tether or a booster seat is actually doing to protect your child's body, it's a lot easier to get it right every time."
Here are three of the most common mistakes CPS technicians see and why they matter:
1. Skipping or misusing the top tether. The top tether is the strap at the top of a forward-facing car seat that attaches to an anchor point in the vehicle. When used correctly, it significantly reduces how far a child's head moves forward during a crash, lowering the risk of serious head and neck injuries. The top tether should always be used on forward-facing seats.
2. Moving kids out of a booster seat too soon. Vehicle seat belts are designed for adult bodies. A properly fitted booster raises a child up so the seat belt sits across their hips, not their stomach, and across the collarbone. Graduating a child out of a booster too early can leave them dangerously unprotected in a crash. Most children need a booster seat until they're about 4 feet 9 inches tall -- typically between ages 8 and 12.
3. Letting kids ride in the front seat before age 13. Even if a child is tall enough to wear a seat belt correctly or mature enough to sit still, the back seat offers far better protection from front airbag deployment and the primary impact zone in a frontal crash. Children's developing bones and bodies simply aren't built to withstand those forces the way an adult's body is. All children under 13 should ride in the back seat.
Although safety restraints for every young passenger are required, the consistency of proper protection declines sharply as children age.
Throughout Child Passenger Safety Week and beyond, certified technicians across the state offer free, personalized guidance on proper installation and height/weight limits. Find a year-round check station or schedule an appointment near you at Clickit.Utah.gov.
Press Contact
Name: Brad Gillman Phone: 801-442-3217 Email: Contact UsOriginal Press Release.
More News
F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Talks Spending Time with Girlfriend Kim Kardashian’s Kids, Reveals Special Gift He Got Them
Lewis Hamilton has opened up about his relationship with Kim Kardashian. The 41-year-old seven-time championship-winning Formula 1 driver and the […] The post F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton Talks Spending Time with Girlfriend Kim Kardashian’s Kids, Reveals Special Gift He Got Them appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
‘SNL UK’ & Cynthia Erivo Give Elphaba-Glinda Shippers A ‘Nigerian Wicked’ Sapphic Parody
Although the Wicked movies may not have given LGBTQ fans the sapphic moment they wanted for Elphaba and Glinda, Saturday Night Live UK heard their demands. On this weekend’s episode of the sketch comedy show, host Cynthia Erivo returned to the magical franchise for the parody Nigerian Wicked, in which she mixed it up by […]
Prince William makes cheeky admission about 2024 selfie with Travis Kelce
Prince William makes cheeky admission about 2024 selfie with Travis KelcePrince William tried to nudge Travis Kelce out of the famous group photo they shared with Taylor Swift in 2024.The Prince of Wales, 44, shared the story on The Graham Norton Show on Friday, talking about a backstage selfie he...
James McAvoy Says He Quit Drinking After His Habits Changed During the COVID-19 Lockdown
James McAvoy is opening up about his sobriety journey. The 47-year-old Split star sat down with Chelsea Handler on her […] The post James McAvoy Says He Quit Drinking After His Habits Changed During the COVID-19 Lockdown appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
Nathan Fielder Negotiated a ‘Kill Switch’ on ‘You Can See Everything,’ Says Lance Oppenheim: ‘If We Didn’t Find Something, We Could Just Throw It All Away’
“You Can See Everything” might be the buzziest film of the moment, but before the Elizabeth Holmes-focused documentary made it to theaters, co-director Lance Oppenheim has admitted that fellow director Nathan Fielder was so skeptical about being able to weave a unique enough narrative that he negotiated a “kill switch” with A24 before they began […]
Which show or movie should *only* be watched in the fall?
Time for my annual rewatch of Over the Garden Wall View Entire Post ›
‘SNL UK’ Pokes Fun At PM Andy Burnham’s Gogglebox Special In Cold Open With ‘Celebrity Traitors’, ‘Graham Norton Show’ & ‘Great British Bake Off’ Parodies
Saturday Night Live UK‘s cold open took aim at Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s bean stockpile with some help from a few familiar British TV personalities. On this weekend’s episode of the sketch comedy show, George Fouracres played Prime Minister Andy Burnham with Emma Sidi as Liverpool’s Mayor Steve Rotheram, poking fun at the pair’s Stand […]
Is Daniel Lissing Single or Married? Learn About the Hallmark Actor’s Wife!
Daniel Lissing has a new movie out tonight (October 24) on Hallmark Channel! The 45-year-old actor is starring in the […] The post Is Daniel Lissing Single or Married? Learn About the Hallmark Actor’s Wife! appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
Is Janel Parrish Single or Married? All About the Hallmark Actress’ Relationship Status
Janel Parrish is returning to Hallmark Channel tonight with a new Countdown to Christmas movie! The 37-year-old actress is starring […] The post Is Janel Parrish Single or Married? All About the Hallmark Actress’ Relationship Status appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
Spend A "Charmed" October In San Francisco And We'll Reveal Which Of Phoebe Halliwell's Lovers Would Fall For You
You're going to meet suspiciously charming strangers, stumble into situations that definitely weren't in your plans, and perhaps fall for someone who comes with a few more secrets than you'd usually tolerate... View Entire Post ›
Christy Carlson Romano Says Shia LaBeouf ‘Trash-Talked’ Hilary Duff’s ‘Lizzie McGuire’ & Hilary ‘Had No Clue’
Christy Carlson Romano is sharing new insight into what it was like working on Disney Channel in the early 2000s […] The post Christy Carlson Romano Says Shia LaBeouf ‘Trash-Talked’ Hilary Duff’s ‘Lizzie McGuire’ & Hilary ‘Had No Clue’ appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News, Entertainment News & Photos.
Chris Harrison Says Warner Bros’ Legal Action Against ‘The Vow’ Feels “Personal”: “You Be The Judge”
After Warner Bros. hit The Vow with a cease-and-desist earlier this month, Chris Harrison has addressed the legal drama. The former Bachelor Nation host, whose new dating show premieres Nov. 11 on Fox Nation, said it felt “personal” after Warner Bros’ recent letter accusing the reality show of copyright and trademark infringement in a teaser […]
Recommended
Which "Abbott Elementary" Character Are You?
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.