Child Safety Seat Guide

Unfortunately, millions of automobile accidents take place within the United States every year, and many of them involve children under the age of 16. The use of safety seats for young children is essential to ensure that babies and kids are safe and secure while riding in a vehicle. The purpose of safety seats is to help secure children inside of the vehicle in the event of a crash. They can also help to soften the blow when a car is involved in an accident, and save thousands of lives each year. Most states have individual safety seat laws that all parents must abide by or they run the risk of being fined or ticketed.

When a car is involved in an impact, the passengers can be thrown out or ejected from the vehicle. Safety seats keep small children properly fastened inside the vehicle in the event of an accident and helps to prevent ejection and other injuries. The statistics show that thousands of lives are saved every year from the use of safety belts and safety seats. Every parent should install a seat in their car if they have small children. A normal seat belt is not sufficient to help keep smaller children secure and safe, so these seats are a must for anyone who has kids.

Are You Using Your Safety Seat Properly?

It is important to make sure that you're using the safety seat properly, or else it will not do its job to the fullest extent. Many children are injured every year due to parents not using or installing the safety seat the correct way. Here is a checklist of simple tips to help ensure your child's safety seat is put in the vehicle the right way:

• Make sure the safety seat you buy meets federal regulations before purchasing.
• Read the operating manual thoroughly before installing.
• Understand which seat fits your child best. Children under 40 pounds should use a harnessed safety seat, while kids over 40 pounds can use a booster seat.
• Be sure the seat is facing the proper direction: Babies should face the rear, and larger children can face front.
• Secure the seat tightly using the safety belt, and ensure that all connections are fastened.
• Give your safety seat a firm tug to make sure it has been installed securely.
• When in doubt, contact your local fire department or DMV for installation inspections or guidelines.

Child Passenger Advocacy

• Highway and Traffic Safety – Comprehensive list of resources regarding safety seat suggestions, statistics, and more.
• Best Practices for Promoting Booster Seat Use - Advocacy tips from the NHTSA.
  
• Saferoads – Advocates for highway safety, including the safety of children.
• Child Passenger Safety 101 - Information and facts from the National Automobile Dealers Association.

Child Passenger Safety Laws

• Safety Laws – A list and chart that parents can follow to ensure they are within the law's guidelines
• Safety Seats & Boosters – Thorough information on laws, suggestions, and more regarding safety and booster seats
• Map – An interactive map with child restraint laws by state

Child Passenger Safety Tips

• Basic Guidelines – Some tips, guidelines, and tips for choosing the best seat
• Statistics and Safety Tips – A few statistics as well as safety tips for on the road
• 10 Tips – A list of ten tips to help keep your children safe while driving
• Child Passenger Tips – Quick and easy reference of safety seat guidelines
• Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2009 - Guide to safety seats from the American Academy of Pediatrics.