Choosing the correct car seat for your child
Published on September 15, 2024
Sept. 15–21 is Child Passenger Safety Week and the Menlo Park Police Department wants to remind you to make sure you are using the correct car seat for your child’s age and weight.
Why are car seats and boosters so important?
Remember, regular seatbelts are designed for 165-pound male adults, so children need the adjustments that car seats provide for added safety. 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. This is very important since 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 four out of five 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 two 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.
- Children ages two to four should ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.
- Children ages four to seven 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.
- Children ages eight to 12 should ride in a booster seat until they are big enough to fit in the seatbelt properly.
- Children must ride in the back seat until the age of eight. It is highly recommended to continue to keep your child in the back seat after age 8 since it is safer.
Learn more and find car seat and booster seat recommendations here.