Car Seat Safety

As children grow, how they sit safely in a car, truck, van or SUV changes. For maximum child passenger safety, parents and caregivers simply need to remember and follow the 4 Steps for Kids:

• Use rear-facing infant seats in the back seat from birth to at least 1 year and at least 20 pounds.
• Use forward-facing toddler seats in the back seat from age 1 and 20 pounds to about age 4 and 40 pounds.
• Use booster seats in the back seat from about age 4 to at least age 8 unless the child is 4'9" or taller.
• Use safety belts in the back seat at age 8 or older or when the child is taller than 4'9".
• All children younger than age 13 should ride in the back seat.

Some parents or caregivers may regard booster seats as a hassle to use or difficult to convince their children to use. But protecting the ones you love means getting past the temporary complaints and perceived hassles. Use a booster seat because you love them.

Learn more about proper child passenger safety seats.