Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children according to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. The document provides guidelines for what type of car seat children should be in based on their age and size, starting with rear-facing car seats for infants and toddlers up to age 2, then forward-facing car seats until age 5, followed by booster seats until age 57 inches, and finally just a seat belt. It also stresses the importance of properly installing the car seat.

1. Car Seat Safety
Erin Carr

2. According to the National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control (NCIPC),
motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of
death among children in the United States.

3. Is your child in the proper
car seat?

4. Rear-facing Car Seat
Birth up to age 2
OR
When the infant
Reaches the upper
Weight or height
Limit of the car seat

5. Forward-facing Car Seat
Age 2 to age 5
OR
When the child
Reaches the upper
Weight or height
Limit of the car seat

6. Booster Seat
Ages 5 and up until
the child reaches
57 inches in height

7. Seat Belt
A child no longer
needs to use a
booster seat when a
seat belt fits them
properly.

8. Proper installation is one of the most
important aspects of car seat safety.
Many community police station are
certified in car seat installation.