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Child Car Seats Guidelines
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Overview
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 42 percent of accidental childhood deaths are due to auto accidents. For that reason, it is critical that you have your child safely buckled into a car seat or booster seat every time he is in the car. Although specific laws may vary by state, the American Academy of Pediatrics has released general car-seat recommendations for optimum safety.
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Infants
Infants range in age from newborn to 12 months. They can safely ride in two types of car seats: an infant seat or a convertible seat. An infant seat can typically be lifted out of its base in the car and carried with a handle. A convertible seat can be used facing the rear and then turned around to face forward for older children. All infants should remain rear-facing until they are at least 1 year old and 20 lb.
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Toddlers and Preschoolers
Even after a child turns 1 and is at least 20 lb., it is always safest to keep him in the rear-facing position for as long as the car-seat manufacturer recommends. When it is time to turn your child around, you have three car-seat choices: a convertible seat that goes from rear-facing to forward-facing, a forward-facing seat with a five-point harness, or a car-seat/booster-seat combination that uses a five-point harness as a car seat and utilizes the car's seat belt when the child is old enough for a booster seat.
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School-Age Children
Children who have outgrown a car seat and are at least 4 years old should use a booster seat. The booster seat should be used until the child is big enough to fit correctly in a regular seat belt, usually at age 8 or older. Booster seats are available in high-back and backless models, and both are secured with the car's seat belts.
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Additional Guidelines
When possible, children 12 and under should always ride in the backseat of a vehicle.
Cars manufactured after 2002 are equipped with the LATCH system--a set of hooks to which a car seat can be attached. Some older models may include the LATCH system as well. Always utilize the LATCH system if it is available.
Car seats that have been in a crash should not be used, because the safety of the seat may have been compromised.
Car seats have expiration dates, usually stamped into the plastic or printed on labels. Do not use a car seat past its expiration date to ensure the strength and integrity of the seat.
Car seats can and should be used on airplanes. Booster seats, however, cannot be used.
It is estimated that up to 80 percent of car seats are installed or used incorrectly. To ensure that yours is not one of them, call (866) SEAT-CHECK to find a certified car-seat technician who can help you install your seat correctly.
Convertible car seat
