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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that death and injury to children caused by car crashes could be reduced by half if every child passenger were properly buckled up. Protect your children by making sure they are properly restrained in a child safety seat according to their weight and age.
- Babies 1 year old and younger should be in rear facing infant seats or convertible seats in the back seat of the vehicle.
The rear-facing position supports the child's entire head, neck and back and helps reduce stress to the neck and spinal cord in a crash. Age is the most important factor due to developmental issues. However, both age and weight requirements should be met before the child is moved to a forward-facing seat.
- Children age 1 year old and at least 20 pounds all the way through four years old and forty pounds can use a forward facing toddler seat in the back seat of the vehicle.
These seats include an internal harness system that keeps the child properly restrained and snug straps that limit forward motion, providing greater "ride down." The forward-facing position provides for the even distribution of physical forces over the child's body in the event of a crash.
- Children between 4 and 8 years old need to use a booster seat in the back seat of the vehicle. It’s estimated that only 10-20 percent of children in this age category actually use booster seats.
Booster seats help ensure proper seat belt placement - resulting in a safer ride for your child. It is the appropriate next step after the child has outgrown a forward-facing child safety seat.
- Any child under 13 years old should always ride in the back seat of the vehicle.
Your child is ready for a vehicle seat belt only when the lap belt can be fitted low and snug across the child’s hips and the shoulder belt does not rest against the child’s face or the front of his/her neck. Properly restraining a child in the back seat can significantly reduce the risk of death or injury in a crash.
For occupant protection laws by state, click here.
Find a child safety seat fitting station near you: click here.
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