Your Child’s Safety Starts with the
Right Seat
Keeping kids safe on the road is a
journey—and it starts with choosing and
using the right car seat at every stage.
These expert-backed recommendations will
help you make confident decisions as
your child grows.
If you ever feel unsure or want extra
support, visit a
Child Passenger Safety Technicians
in your community. Trained technicians
are ready to help you with installation,
adjustments, and any questions —
always free, always
judgment-free.
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Keep your child
rear-facing as long
as possible. It’s
the safest way for
infants and toddlers
to ride.
-
Use rear-facing car
seats from birth
until your child
outgrows the height
or weight limit
listed on the seat’s
label.
-
Convertible seats
can be used
rear-facing for
toddlers as well as
infants.
-
Never install a
rear-facing seat
in front of an
active
airbag.
-
Rear-facing protects
your child’s
developing neck and
spine during a
crash.
-
Once your child
outgrows the
rear-facing limits,
it’s time to move to
a
forward-facing
seat with a
harness—but not before.
-
Use forward-facing
seats
with a 5-point
harness
as long as your
child fits within
the seat’s height
and weight limits.
-
Always use the
top
tether
to reduce forward
movement in a crash.
-
Check the car seat’s
label to ensure your
child meets the
right age, height,
and weight for this
stage
-
Your child is ready
for a booster seat
when they’ve
outgrown their
forward-facing
seat—but still need
help fitting the
adult seat belt
properly.
-
Most kids need a
booster until
they’re at least
10 to 12 years
old, even if they’re
tall.
-
Booster seats
lift kids
up
so seat belts sit in
the right places—lap
belt low on the
hips, shoulder belt
across the
collarbone.
-
Never let the
belt go behind
the back or
under the
arm.
It won’t protect
them in a crash.
-
Your child is ready
to use a seat belt
without a booster
until they have
passed the 5 –
Step
Test:
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Is the child
sitting tall
so his/her
whole back
is touching
the
seatback?
-
Do the
child’s
knees bend
comfortably
at the edge
of the seat?
-
Does the
belt cross
the shoulder
between the
neck and
arm?
-
Is the lap
belt
touching the
tops of the
legs?
-
Can the
child sit
like this
the for the
whole trip?
-
Note: If you
answer to
any of these
questions is
“NO,”
the child
still needs
a booster
seat to ride
safely in
the car.
-
Children should
continue riding in
the
back seat until
at least age
13, where it’s
safest.
Need Help or Have Questions
-
We’re here for you.
Car seats and boosters can be
confusing—but you’re not alone.
Visit a
Local Checkup Event
near you to get expert, hands-on
help at no cost.
-
Let’s keep every ride a safe
ride—for every child, every
time.
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