Your baby: Car seat safety

Motor vehicle crashes are the most common cause of injury and death for young children. Nearly all of these injuries and deaths could be prevented by using properly approved, crash-tested child restraints.

The law requires any child who is younger than the age of 4, weighs fewer than 40 pounds, and travels in a car to use an approved car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a booster seat for a child younger than age 8 who weighs fewer than 80 pounds.

Use a car seat that has been strapped in safely. Don't skip using the seat on a short trip. Don't take your baby out of the seat because it's a long trip.

Choosing a car seat

Choose a car seat that meets federal standards that is easy to install and easy to use each day.

Choose a car seat that is appropriate for your child's size:

1. infant seat for birth to 20 pounds
2. convertible seat for birth to 40 pounds
3. booster seat for 40 to 80-plus pounds

Use only seats that are fewer than 5 to 6 years old.

The preferred restraint is a five-point harness that consists of two shoulder straps, a lap belt and a crotch strap. A padded tray shield or T-shield is not recommended for newborns and small babies.

Installing a car seat

Make sure the seat is properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. A properly installed car seat should not move more than 1 inch in any direction.

Never put your baby's car seat in the front seat, especially if your car has an air bag.

• Place the car seat in the middle of the back seat of the car, facing the rear of the seat.
• After your child is at least 1 year old and weighs more than 20 pounds, appropriate car seats that face forward can be used in the back seat.

Using a car seat

The best place for the car seat is in the middle of the back seat, unless there is an arm rest or if the car seat cannot sit flat. If either happens, place the car seat in the back seat on either side.

Make sure all straps and buckles are securely and properly adjusted. The harness straps should be snug and should lie flat against the baby's shoulders.

Before you place your baby's car seat in a forward-facing position in the back seat, both of the following must be met:

• Your baby is at least 1 year old
• and weighs 20 pounds.

Never use a car seat after it has been in an accident.

Cover the car seat with a towel or blanket in hot or cold weather.

If the seat has any metal parts that may touch your baby, cover them in hot weather so they don't burn your baby.

Never leave a child alone in a car.

Car seat recalls

Send in the registration card attached to the car seat so the manufacturer can contact you if the seat is recalled.

To see if a car seat has been recalled, call the U.S. Department of Transportation's Auto Safety Hotline (toll free) at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT.

Booster seats

Your child may use a booster seat when he or she weighs more than 40 pounds and is more than 40 inches tall.

A booster is for the in-between time when the convertible seat is too small and the regular seat belt doesn't fit well.

Time for a seatbelt

Your child may use the regular car seat (without a booster seat) with the lap and shoulder belt when he or she is 8 years old.

If the shoulder strap runs across your child's neck, a booster seat is needed. Never let your child put the shoulder strap under his or her arms.

Never let a child younger than age 12 sit in front of an air bag.

How to keep your child in the car seat

• Do not let your child get out of his or her car seat while in a moving vehicle. To avoid boredom on a long trip, take along games, activities, books and story tapes. Have snacks and water handy, and make lots of stops along the way. Praise your child for sitting so well in the car seat.
• Do not let your child give in to pressure. If he or she is with a friend or relative who does not use seat belts, stress how important seat belts are to your child.
• And remember, all adults and all children riding in a car, truck, mini-van or SUV should be buckled in at all times. Buckling up is a habit you want to pass on to your children.

Related Links

Child seat safety for premature babies

Class: Car seat safety

Infant safety checklist

United States Department of Transportation Office of Defects Investigation: Car seat recalls

First published: 04/01/2002
Last updated: 10/01/2005

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts