- Read the NSC position statement on child restraints, which addresses child passenger safety among multiple modes of transportation
- Take advantage of car seat safety checks held nationwide during National Child Passenger Safety Week
- If you’re pregnant, schedule a car seat installation with a certified child passenger safety technician before the child is born
- Children should ride in the back seat at least through age 12
- If your kids complain about wearing seat belts, don’t negotiate; don’t drive off until they buckle up
- Always be consistent and wear your seat belt; driver safety belt use strongly influences whether your child will buckle up
- All 50 states require child seats with specific criteria; here is a list of child passenger safety laws by state, but too often, state laws don’t go far enough
- The life of a car seat ranges from six to 10 years; be sure to identify the expiration date set by the manufacturer of the seat being used
- Recalls for child seat manufacturers for the past 10 years
- Air bags can save the lives of older children and adults, but they can be fatal for young children when not seated correctly, particularly in the front seat; never place a rear-facing car seat in a front seat near an air bag
- Always read instructions provided by the vehicle and car seat manufacturers for properly securing children in all seating positions.
By: National Safety Council
