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                                            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.
                                     
                                
                                    
                                        
                                            
                                            
                                                
                                                    
                                                        
                                                            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:
                                                            
                                                                
                                                                    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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