Child Safety Seats
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.
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Proper Child Safety Seat Use Chart Buckle everyone. Children age 12 and under must be in back seat. |
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INFANTS |
TODDLERS
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YOUNG CHILDREN |
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WEIGHT
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Birth to 1 year up to 20-22 lbs. |
Over 1year and over 20-40 lbs. |
Over 40 lbs. up to 80 lbs. |
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TYPE OF
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Infant only or rear-facing convertible |
Convertible/forward-facing |
Belt positioning booster seat |
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SEAT POSITION
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Rear-facing only |
Forward-facing |
Forward-facing |
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ALWAYS |
Children to one year and at least 20 lbs. in rear-facing seats Harness straps at or below shoulder level |
Harness straps should be at or above shoulders Most seats require top slot for forward-facing |
Belt positioning booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belt Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight across the lap/upper thigh area and the shoulder belt fits snug crossing the chest and shoulder to avoid abdominal injuries |
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WARNING |
All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat |
All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat |
All children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat |
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.
Texas Occupant Protection Laws
| Age | System Required | Front Seat | Back Seat | Citation given to |
| Birth - 2 years | Child Safety Seat System | Yes | Yes | Driver |
| 2 - 3 years | Safety Seat or Safety Belt | Yes | Yes | Driver |
| 4 - 14 years | Safety Belt | Yes | Yes | Driver |
| 15+ years | Safety Built | Yes | No | Violator |
Find out what kind of safety seat your child needs, how to install it and regulations about child safety seats at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.