Free car-seat inspections offered during Central Oregon child safety enforcement

(Update: added information about Sister-Camp Sherman's Fire Corps' Car Seat Safety Program)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is joining law enforcement agencies across Central Oregon for a child passenger safety enforcement blitz through Sept. 6.

Deputies will be watching for children who are unbuckled or improperly restrained. Sheriff Ty Rupert says the effort is focused on education and awareness, rather than issuing citations.

In 2024, 103 people died in Oregon crashes involving a lack of seat belt use or a child who was not properly secured. Nearly 2,000 children were injured in crashes statewide that year, and 12% were unrestrained.

Oregon law requires children to ride rear-facing until at least age 2. Children must then use a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4 feet, 9 inches tall, whichever comes first.

Parents and caregivers in the Sisters area can also get free help checking or installing their child’s safety seat. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Corps offers free child car-seat inspections and installation assistance by appointment through its Car Seat Safety Program.

A certified National Child Passenger Safety Technician can help ensure a car seat is installed correctly and appropriate for the child’s age, size and development. The service is available for families installing a seat for the first time, transferring it to another vehicle, moving a child into a new seat or seeking a routine installation check.

Appointments can be scheduled through the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Corps Car Seat Safety Program.

The department says the safety blitz and available inspection services offer parents a reminder to take a few minutes to ensure young passengers are properly secured.