Your Monday Safety Tip: Car Seat Safety for Your Child

Did you know that the number one killer of children ages 1-12 years old in the United States is car crashes?  The best defense to ensure your child's safety is to make sure your child is in the right car seat, and that it is being used correctly.

The right car seat is the type and model that fits your child and your vehicle and one that you utilize every time you travel.  Every car seat should come with manufacturer's instructions that will instruct you how to properly install the car seat with a latch system or a seat belt.  Determine the seat's height and weight limits by referring to the owners manual and make sure that you keep your child in the car seat until they need a new seat to accommodate their size or until they fit properly in a regular seat belt. 

Below are some tips on choosing the right car seat for your child, courtesy of SafeCar.gov:

• Birth - 12 Months - Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.There are different types of rear-facing car seats: Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing. Convertible and 3-in-1 car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.

• 1 - 3 Years - Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep him or her safe. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.

• 4 - 7 Years - Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.

• 8 - 12 Years - Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember: your child should still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.