Guidelines and tips for child seat safety

Published on March 20, 2023

Navigating the world of child car seats can be stressful and confusing with so many questions about age, weight and types of car seats. These guidelines will help you get up to date on the current car seat laws and regulations. Studies indicate that children are between 54% (toddlers) and 71% (infants) less likely to sustain a fatal injury if they are secured in a properly installed car seat. Using a booster seat reduces the risk of serious injuries in children ages 4–8 by 45%. Statistics show that 4 out of 5 child safety seats are being used incorrectly. Here are some guidelines and tips on the proper use of child car seats:

Always read the manual before installing your current car seat, it may be different to your prior one. Height and weight limits vary by model and make.
Infants under the age of 2 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat until they reach 40 pounds or 40 inches in height. It is highly recommended to keep your child in a rear-facing seat as long as they still fit in it.
Ages 2–4 should ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.
Ages 4–7 should continue to ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether, unless they have reached the height and weight limit. If that happens, they can now move on to a booster seat.
Ages 8–12 should ride in a booster seat until they are big enough to fit in the seat belt properly.
Children must ride in the back seat until the age of 8. It is highly recommended to continue to keep your child in the back seat after age 8 since it is safer.
Regular seatbelts are designed for 165-pound male adults, so children need the adjustments that car seats provide.

The Police Department offers car seat inspections. If you are in doubt about your safety seat installation, make an appointment for an inspection with one of our certified technicians who will inspect and install it for you. For more information and resources about car seat safety and laws, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.