Child Safety Seats

It is illegal in the USA not to have your child in a safety seat. A child safety seat may not protect your child in a crash if it isn’t used correctly and installed properly in your vehicle.

Traffic crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States. All 50 states have child passenger safety laws ("car seat laws"). Child passenger safety laws should cover every child (up to age 16), in every seating position, in every passenger vehicle. The law requires a child to be in an age- and size -appropriate restraint system. Allow passengers to ride only in seating areas equipped with safety belts, not for instance in the cargo area of a truck. Many laws assign responsibility to the parent or guardian, who may not be the driver or even be in the vehicle.

Proper Child Restraint Recommendations
Conditions	Infants		Toddlers	Other Children
Weight and Age	Birth to at least 1 year old AND at least 20 pounds	Birth to at least 1 year old More than 20 pounds and less than 35 pounds	More than 1 year old, more than 20 pounds, up to approximately 40 pounds	More than 40 pounds, ages 4-8 unless 4'9" tall
Type of Seat	Infant only or rear-facing convertible	Rear-facing convertible designed for heavier infants	Convertible or forward-facing seat with harness	Belt-positioning booster (high-back or no-back)
Seat Position	Rear-facing only		Forward-facing	Forward-facing
Always Make Sure	Harness straps are at, or below, shoulder level.		Harness straps should be at or above shoulder level-check manual.	Belt-positioning booster seats are used with lap\shoulder belt combination only.
Remember	Do not place infants in the front seat of vehicles with active air bags.		5-point harnesses provide the best protection	Make sure the lap belt portion fits low and tight to avoid abdominal injuries.
Children 12 and under are safest when properly restrained in the rear seat. Keep children rear-facing as long as possible. Always refer to the child safety seat instructions and vehicle manufacturer's instructions for weight and height limits, proper use and installation.