Car Seat Safety by Age
When riding in a vehicle, it is crucial to keep your child's well-being in mind by maintaining proper child passenger safety. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children 4 years of age and older in the United States. For every fatality caused by motor vehicle crashes, about 400 more children are treated for injuries. However, using a child safety seat or booster seat that is right for your child’s age and size is one way to help prevent these injuries.
The first rule of child safety seats is to fit the correct seat to your child and your family’s needs. No one seat is "safest" or "best." The "best" child safety seat for a family is the one that is easy to use for the parents or caregivers, fits in the vehicle's seats, is compatible with the vehicle's seat belts or LATCH system, and is the proper size for the child, based on age, height and weight.
The following are general guidelines, based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), to help you maintain proper car seat safety and choose the most appropriate car seat for your child:
- Your Baby - Newborn to age 2 in rear-facing seats
- Your Toddler - When and how to use a forward-facing seat
- Your 4- to 8-year-old - When and how to use a booster seat
- Your Older Child - Seat belts for children 4’9” and taller
Four Key Safety Tips
- Restrain your child on every trip, every time.
- Keep your child in the back seat.
- Use the best safety restraint for your child's size.
- Use child safety seats and seat belts correctly.
Order Educational Videos
Order our free DVD, "A Crash Course in Child Passenger Safety," with content available in both English and Spanish: