The Basics on Car Seat Safety

Thousands of people, including children, are killed every year in automobile accidents. For parents, the proper use of car safety seats is the best way you can help protect your children. In fact, the research is so strong in support of car seats that parents are not even allowed to take their child home from the hospital without one.

But with all the information out there about car seats, parents can become overwhelmed. Below are the basic guidelines for proper car seat use for your child:

Infants: Infants should ride in either an infant car seat or a rear-facing convertible car seat. They should ride rear facing until they are at least 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds.

Toddlers/Preschoolers: It is best to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat as along as possible. However, once your child has outgrown the rear-facing seat, you should place your toddler in a front-facing seat with a harness. Most of the seats will fit a child from 20 to 40 or 80 pounds.

School-age Children: After your child has reached 4 years of age and can no longer fit in a car seat with a harness, you will need to place him/her in a booster seat. Booster seats are designed so a regular seat belt will fit properly across your child’s shoulder and lap. Your child should continue to ride in a booster seat until the adult belt fits properly, usually when the child is 4’ 9” or from 8 to 12 years old.

Here are some additional tips for car seat use:
• Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper use of the car seat. Each seat is slightly different, and each one has different height/weight recommendations for use.
• Don’t use a car seat that is old, cracked, missing parts, or has been in a moderate/severe crash before.
• Children should always ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
• Be a good example by always wearing your seat belt in the car.