Child Passenger Safety Week (September 15-21) brings heightened awareness to how parents and caregivers can keep children safe in vehicles.
Counting the cost
Every day in 2022, on average, 3 children under age thirteen were killed and 429 were injured in motor vehicles.
In 2022, 39% of children killed in car crashes were unrestrained.
Find the Right Car Seat
The right seat for your child's safety depends on their age, height and weight. Make sure you change seat types at the right time for best protection!
Rear-facing seats
Your child's first seat type, used from infancy up to about age 4.
Forward-facing seats
Switch to this seat type when your child no longer fits a rear-facing seat's weight and height limits. Its built-in seat belts are correctly positioned for small children
Booster seats
Around age 9-10 your child will outgrow the height and weight that forward-facing seats are designed for. The booster seat positions your child for safe use of your car seat belts.
When your child grows tall enough for standard car seat belts to fit properly across the shoulders, your child can ride without a booster seat. Children should always ride in the back seat until at least age 13 for greater protection and to avoid risk of harm from front seat air bags.
- Car seat types and recommendations
- Car seat finder for your child's age, weight and height
From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Install It Correctly
Take the time understand the parts of your car seat and how to adjust them. The NHTSA has a video to help you with correct installation as well.
Get It Inspected
Saturday, September 21, is a day for you to receive free instruction on how to correctly install and use the right car seats for your children. Use the Car Seat Inspection locator below to find a location near you.
Keep It Safe
Stay up-to-date on car seat recalls when you sign up to receive alerts by e-mail from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It's the easy way to make sure your seat stays safe.
The SaferCar app keeps you in touch with recall and safety information for all parts of your car, truck or other motor vehicle. Try it!
