For parents of infants and young children
More than 1,000 children 12 and younger die in passenger vehicles crashes every year, and more than 100,000 are injured. Parents can reduce the risk to their kids by properly securing them in the back seats.
The "Keeping Children Safe In Crashes" series of videos help parents choose the right type of restraint for their child's age and size and provide general information on installation and use.
All children should ride rear-facing in back seats until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the height and weight limit of their child restraints.
Infant seats are small seats with a handle for easy carrying. Many snap into a base that is attached to the vehicle. Convertible seats can be used rear-facing for infants and young toddlers and then forward-facing when children are ready. Three-in-1 seats are designed to be used rear-facing, forward-facing, and as boosters as children grow.
When children reach the height and weight limits of their infant seats, they should be moved to convertible seats, but should continue to ride rear-facing for as long as possible. Some convertible seats have rear-facing weight limits of 40 pounds or higher.
