‘Valentine’ Babies to Get Safety Seats

Babies born Feb. 14 will receive child safety seats as their first Valentine, thanks to a police effort to enforce safety seat laws.

To kick off National Child Safety Seat Week, the Peace Officers Assn. will hand out 100 car seats to new parents throughout Los Angeles County.

The association, which includes police, sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers, will also coordinate a crackdown on drivers who break the law. It requires children under 4 or less than 40 pounds to be buckled into a seat.

“You don’t have to get into an accident to hurt a child,” said CHP Capt. Pete Mader. “All you have to do is slam on the brakes really hard.”

The law applies to all roads and highways, and both requirements apply. For example, if a child is 5 years old but weighs 33 pounds, he must be strapped in. The fine for a violation is $271.

The safety seats were donated by Evenflo to the state office of traffic safety. Depending on the age of the child, the seats usually retail for $30 to $150.