With as much time as you spend in the car, the safety or your child's car seat is essential. The safest seat for your child depends on his age and size. As your child grows, he will move to different car seats that best suit his needs. No matter what kind of car seat your child is riding in, always carefully follow the directions for proper installation. And when your child outgrows his booster sit, make sure he remains buckled up in the back seat until the age of 13, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Infants
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants and babies younger than 1 ride in a rear-facing car seat. The minimum age and weight for switching your child to a forward-facing seat is 12 months old and 20 pounds, but always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for height and age limits for your particular car seat. If your baby outgrows her infant-only car seat, she should remain in a rear-facing convertible seat until at least her first birthday.
Toddlers
Toddlers and preschool-age children can sit facing forward but still should be safely strapped into a car seat for every car trip, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. These youngsters should sit in a convertible car seat or another forward-facing seat equipped with harnesses to keep them safe and should remain in these seats until they outgrow them.
School-Age Children
School-age children will still be safest in the car when strapped into a booster seat. These seats allow the child to sit up higher in the car so the seat belt is aligned properly to keep the child safe. These seats are available with and without a back. Children should ride in a booster seat until they are tall enough for the seat belt to fit properly, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Most children reach this height--about 4 feet, 9 inches--between the ages of 8 and 12.
Important Considerations
Whenever possible, purchase a new car seat for your child instead of buying one secondhand that you do not know the history of, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises. If you are using a hand-me-down car seat, inspect it to make sure there are no crack or defects, and make sure it has a manufacturer's label to make sure it has not been recalled. Also, don't use a car seat unless you have the manual or instructions it comes with so it can be safely installed. Finally, do not use car seats that have been involved in moderate or severe crashes.
Inspections
Your child's car seat may not keep your child as safe as it should if it isn't properly installed. Unfortunately, about 70 percent of kids are not buckled up properly, according to SeatCheck.org, a national campaign to help parents ensure their kids are properly buckled up. Have your child's car seat inspected by a trained inspector to make sure it is properly installed. To find a car seat inspection event or an inspector in your area, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website at
