Infant and child car seats

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Forward-facing car seat

Rear-facing car seat

Child car seats

Automobile accidents are one of the major causes of injury and death in children. To keep children safer while driving, it is important to use child car seats properly. Car seats are required by law for children under 40 pounds.

Studies show that most people do NOT have their car seats installed properly. The confusion is understandable -- there are different car seats for different heights, weights, and ages of children, and different installation procedures depending on the type and age of your car. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. In addition, police and fire-station inspection services can help you identify and correct installation problems, free of charge.

Here are the most critical points:

• The safest position for an infant seat is rear facing in the car's back seat. NEVER put a baby or child car seat, facing forward or backward, in the front seat of a car that has airbags. If the airbag deploys, it can injure or kill the child.
• With most models, the rear-facing infant seat is used AT LEAST until the child reaches 20 pounds and 1 year of age. At that point, a forward-facing seat can be used. This may require a new car seat -- it depends on the model.
• As children get older and bigger (usually 40 pounds and over), they should use a booster seat. With a booster seat, the child is restrained by the car's seat belt, but the booster raises the child high enough to make sure the car's seat belt is positioned properly over the shoulder.
• When the child reaches about 80 pounds, he or she can ride on the regular seat of the car, using the car's seat belt.

Some models of infant seats are convertible -- they can be used at different stages. However, as your child grows up, you will need to buy at least two car seats, since no model covers the range from newborn all the way up to 80 pounds.

There are flat car seats, called car beds, for premature and other special-needs babies, which help them get enough oxygen. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all preterm babies be observed in a car seat for fit and breathing stability before discharge from the hospital.