When installed correctly, car seats and seat belts save lives. Sadly, car crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1-13. This is partly due to the fact that 59% of the car seats are incorrectly installed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov) states car seats can reduce fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
Choosing a car seat can be a daunting task. They are so many to choose from and in all different price ranges. It is important to note that all car seats have to meet federal safety standards. This means the least expensive car seat meets the same standards as the most expensive.
According to NHTSA, there are three major steps in choosing a car seat: Find the right seat, Install the seat correctly, and keep your child safe by sending in the registration form in case of a recall. Select a car seat based on your child’s age, height, and weight. Make sure the seat fits your car.
Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible, until he or she reaches the top height and weight limit allowed by your car seat manufacturer. Once your child reaches these limits they may move on to a forward facing seat.
For children 4-7 years of age keep them in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer.
Children 8-12 years of age need a booster seat until they can fit properly in a seat belt. They are still riding in the back seat through the age of 12. For the 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 across the neck or face.
Be careful buying car seats from other countries. They may not meet our standards or fit in our cars. Be aware of fake websites selling cheaply made knock offs of expensive car seats.
Every time your family gets on the road make sure everyone is properly buckled, including the driver. We set the example for our children. Safekids.org and nhtsa.gov are excellent web sites to help you choose and install car seats.
