Keeping children safe while riding in vehicles is one of the most important safety measures you can take as a parent.
It is also important to always make sure the seat is installed properly, and your child meets the minimum and maximum size (weight and height) listed in the seat manual.
The back seat of the car (middle seat if possible) is the safest place in a car. Children, regardless of size or type of car seat, should remain in the back seat until at least 13 years old.
Rear-facing only seats:
It is recommended that all infants and young children remain in rear-facing only car seats for as long as possible, which is usually up to 2 years old or 35lbs. (Always check your specific seat size limits).
Convertible and All-in-one Seats: (rear-facing and eventually switched forward)
Your child should continue to remain rear-facing and change to a convertible or “all-in-one” car seat when they reach the maximum size of the infant rear-facing only car seat (per the seats manual).
- These are designed to remain rear-facing until higher weight limits (typically 40-50 lbs) are reached.
- Only when the child reaches the rear-facing weight or height limit is it recommended to turn the seat forward-facing, while still utilizing the 5-point harness system.
- It is common to have your child’s feet or legs reach the back of the seat and require the knees to be bent when sitting in a rear-facing system, and this is safe and normal.
Booster seats:
- Booster seats are for older children when they outgrow the forward-facing seat.
- They use the vehicle’s seat belt instead of a built-in harness.
- They should be used until the child fits properly in a vehicle seat without the booster.
- This typically occurs around age 10-12 and 4’9’’ tall.
Seat Belt only: (Only once they fit properly)
- The shoulder belt is across the middle of the chest (not the neck or throat).
- The lap belt is across the upper thighs/hips (not the belly).
- The child is tall enough the sit with their back against the seat and their legs bend over the edge of the seat comfortably.
Front seat riding should not occur until at least 13 years old.
For assistance with installation or other questions, you can search for a certified child passenger safety technician near you at: https://cert.safekids.org/
