Infant and child car
seats save lives. The laws in each state are different. Most states require
them for all children under age 4 and those weighing less than
40 lb (18 kg). But some states
require car seats to be used for children up to age 6 or
60 lb (27 kg).
A
child who is not in a car seat can be seriously injured or killed during a
crash or an abrupt stop, even at low speeds. A parent's arms are not strong
enough to hold and protect a baby during a car accident. Many unrestrained
children die because they are torn from an adult's arms during an
accident.
Set a good example for your children by always wearing
your own seat belt, and always insist that they buckle up.
Requirements for car seats
Buy a car seat
appropriate for your child's current weight and age:1
- Use an infant car seat that reclines and faces the rear until your baby is at least 1 year
of age and weighs at least
20 lb (9 kg). See a picture of
a rear-facing car seat
. - Use a toddler seat that
faces the front and has a shield or harness for babies and children who are at
least 1 year of age and weigh at least
20 lb (9.1 kg). Stay with this
type of seat until your child outgrows it [usually about age 4 and about
40 lb (18.1 kg)]. Some infant
seats can be converted into toddler seats. See a picture of a
front-facing car seat .
- Use a booster seat for children who are at least age 4 and weigh at least
40 lb (18.1 kg). Booster seats
raise the child and allow him or her to see out of the window. See a picture of
a booster seat . Use regular lap and shoulder belts. Adjust the shoulder belt to
fit across the shoulder, not the neck. Stay with this type of seat until at
least age 8 or when your child is
4 ft (1.2 m) 9 in. (22.9 cm) tall.
Never buy a used car seat. If a car seat has been recalled
or has been in an accident or misused, it may not fully protect your
baby.
Proper positioning
The safest position for your baby
or child is in the back, middle seat of the car.2
- Do not place your
child's car seat in the front seat of any vehicle with a passenger side air bag
that cannot be turned off.
- Do not allow
anyone younger than age 13 to sit in the front seat of any vehicle with a
passenger side air bag that cannot be turned off.
- Make sure a rear-facing seat is at an angle where your infant's
head does not flop forward.
- Take extra care if you have a
premature infant. Slouching may affect his or her
breathing and oxygen supply.
For maximum safety, follow the manufacturer's
recommendations for car seat use, which should include weight guidelines,
installation procedures, and how to position and secure your child. Cars
manufactured since September 2002 are equipped with a standardized car safety
seat attachment system. This feature allows parents to secure the car seat onto
a permanently installed hook. Also, some newer cars are available with built-in
car seats to accommodate children between
20 lb (9 kg) and
40 lb (18 kg).
Certified
Child Passenger Safety Technicians can help you position your child safely. To
see if one is in your area, go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm or
www.seatcheck.org. You can also call the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration at 1-888-327-4236.
Do not let your child get out of
his or her seat while the car is moving. If your child needs attention, stop
the car, take the child out of the seat, take care of his or her needs, and put
him or her back into the seat before the car starts moving again. If your child
is fussy again soon after, stop and check your child again.
