This is a very valid concern to have with your children. In order to put your children in the best seat possible there are a few guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics that you can follow.
Infants should be in a rear-facing car seat until the age of two, or until they have grown out of the seat’s weight or height maximum. Up until they are school-aged, children should be placed in a front-facing car seat according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
The guidelines for children of school age that have grown out of their forward-facing car seat are to put them in a booster seat that allows them to use the vehicle’s seat belt. The booster seat should place the child at the proper height that allows the belt to be used most effectively, including the shoulder strap. Older children should be in a booster seat until they reach the height of 4 feet 9 inches or between the ages of 8 and 12, depending on the child. The last guideline given for a child is until they are of 13 years of age and no longer in need of a booster seat, they should be placed in the back seat with a car’s seat belt.
It’s very important for children to be in the proper safety seat while riding in a motor vehicle. Without it, they are being put at risk of serious injury or death. If you have questions or concerns about whether you have the proper seat for your child, many police and fire stations will give you a free inspection and help you out. You can also go on the NHTSA website for more information.
