Buckle In: It's the Law

Most parents know the cardinal rule of keeping a child safe and secure in a car: never hold a child in your arms in a moving vehicle. Some parents know everything about children’s toys, baby beddings or clothes, but don’t know enough about the proper use of child safety seats. To keep your child safe and minimize possible injury there are a few basic rules you many want to review.

When buying a child safety seat look for seats which have a DOT-213 label. This label indicates that the seat has been tested and has passed U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards. For the safety and well being of your child, don’t buy a seat that does not display the DOT-213 label.

For infants up to 20 lbs, a rear-facing car seat is the law. As with all safety seats, the best position is in the middle of the back seat. Car seats for infants are made to face to the rear because that position allows the force of a frontal crash to be spread equally through the baby’s back, head, and neck, thus reducing the risk of major spinal chord and neck injury. Never use a rear-facing safety seat in the front seat of a car with air bags.

Children between 20 and 40 pounds can ride in a front facing toddler size seat. A tether strap will keep the seat properly secured. Adjust the seat’s shoulder straps to the same level as your child’s shoulders. Straps should be snug but not tight across your child’s body.  

Older children between 40 and 60 pounds graduate to a front facing booster seat. The booster seat is secured with the car’s shoulder strap and lap belt. The booster lifts the child so the vehicle’s shoulder strap properly crosses their shoulder area and the lap belt fits across the child’s waist. Once your child is over 60 pounds safety seats are no longer required because the child uses the seat belt system in the car.

Some children as they get older will resist the use of a safety seat. As a parent it is your responsibility to make sure the child is always safe by using a safety seat. You wouldn't allow your child to decide when to cross a busy street so don’t let your child decide how to ride in a car.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for safety seat use. Read the instruction manual carefully and follow the recommendations. Buckle in and buckle up for every trip no matter how short because statistics prove that most accidents happen close to home.