Newberry families will have a chance to get their children’s car seats checked for free later this month as part of a statewide safety push tied to National Child Passenger Safety Week, running September 20-26.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is partnering with the South Carolina Department of Public Health and Safe Kids South Carolina to staff a series of inspection events across the state, including one scheduled locally. A car seat check event organized by Safe Kids Midlands is set for Sunday, September 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Newberry Recreation Complex, located at 1786 Glenn Street Extension. A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician will be on hand to verify that seats are installed and used correctly.
The push comes amid data showing widespread installation problems. According to the 2025 National Digital Car Seat Check Form database, more than 60% of car seats inspected by certified technicians in South Carolina were found to be improperly installed or used. Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods IV said choosing the right seat for a child’s age, height and weight is only the first step, and that installing and using it correctly on every trip matters just as much. He urged parents and caregivers to take advantage of the free resources available during the week-long push.
South Carolina law lays out a graduated set of requirements: infants under 2 must ride rear-facing until they exceed the manufacturer’s height or weight limits, children who have outgrown rear-facing seats move to forward-facing seats in the back, and children who outgrow forward-facing seats move to booster seats until they meet the height and weight requirements for a regular seat belt. Children must be at least 8 years old or 57 inches tall before using an adult seat belt alone, and the back seat remains the safest spot for children regardless of age.
Beyond the September events, the South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains free car seat inspection stations statewide year-round, and parents can schedule an appointment by locating a nearby site and calling ahead. Officials also recommend registering car seats with manufacturers so families are notified promptly of any safety recalls.
For Newberry-area parents who cannot make the September 20 date at the Recreation Complex, other Midlands and Upstate check events are scheduled through September 26 in Aiken, Barnwell, Sumter and Lexington counties.
