Car Seat Safety: How to Choose the Right One

Since their implementation, infant car seats have become a way of life today, and have without a doubt, saved thousands of lives. But how do you choose the right seat for your car and your child? 

Studies suggest the safest place for children to ride is in a rear-facing car seat, in the back seat. In a crash, the rear-facing car seat protects your child’s head, neck, and spine.

If you’re looking to purchase a new car seat, please take a moment to read the age and size chart information that is on the seat, so that you can choose the right one for your child.

Here are some guidelines to consider for car seat purchases:

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, which can only be used rear-facing; and Convertible or All-in-one car seats, which typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, which allows 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, which is 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 a child outgrows a rear-facing car seat, he or she is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.

4 – 7 Years

Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether 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

It’s time to move up to a seat belt. 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 snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Your child should still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.

For more information on car seat safety and recommendations please visit the NHTSA website. You can also visit HealthyChildren.org for additional assistance.