Car seats ensure your little ones travel as safely as possible. Car crashes are a leading cause of death for young children, but you can take steps to protect them in the car.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children younger than 24 months ride in a rear-facing car seat or until they reach the height and weight limits of the car seat. Infant-only car seats can be installed rear-facing, as can convertible or all-in-one seats. Again, keep your child rear-facing as long as possible per the car seat manufacturer’s standards.
Once your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat, they’ll be ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether. Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat until they hit the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat manufacturer. If you’re unsure of the weight or height limit, visit a car seat check event in your area.
Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, they can travel in a booster seat. For a seat belt to fit properly, the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Booster seats should always be installed in the back seat, not the front passenger seat.
If the seat belt fits your child without a booster seat, they’re ready to sit in the back seat without a booster. For a seat belt to fit properly, the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember: your child should still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.
Let certified car seat safety technicians check to see if your child is traveling as safely as possible.
Click here to learn more.
Based on 2019-2021 data from NHTSA's FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System).
“It’s nice to have the assurance of a child passenger safety technician when they check your car seat.”
— Taylor, Billings
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