To keep a child safe, from his first car trip on:- Use a rear-facing seat until your baby is at least 1 year old, no matter what he weighs; then you may switch to a forward-facing, five point harness model.
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Move to a booster when your child outgrows the harness. A booster can be used until a child weighs 80 to 100 pounds, depending on the model; check the manufacturer’s instructions. (Do not use a shield booster-the type with a padded arm across the front, originally designed for lap-only belts and children weighing 20 to 40 pounds. They’re not safe.)
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Since 2002 cars and safety belts have a LATCH system for easy installation. But some seats are safer if attached with the car’s seat belts (the old way). Check with your seat’s manufacturer (the number’s in the instruction booklet). Also use seat belts to attach car seats if your child is 48 pounds or more.
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Your child can graduate from the booster to an adult seat belt when he can sit for the whole trip with his back against the seat, knees bent comfortably over the edge. The belt should cross the shoulder between the neck and arms, and the lap belt should ride low, touching the thighs.
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Until your child turns 13, he needs to ride in the backseat. A study in the March issue of Pediatrics found that even kids who are properly restrained in the front seat are nearly twice as likely to be seriously injured in a crash compared to those properly restrained in the backseat.
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Nor sure your child seat or booster seat is positioned correctly? Find out where to get it checked for free in your area: www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting. If you’d rather learn how to do it yourself, check out www.carseat.org or call 800-745-SAFE.
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Drive the safest car you can buy. If you have an SUV, which is more likely to rollovers than other vehicles, check your tire pressure monthly and don’t overload it; if you’re buying a new one, make sure it has an electronic stability control system.
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