Car Seat Safety Tips and Warnings for Newborns and Toddlers

A car seat is one of the most important things you will ever buy for your child. But a car seat only works well when it is the right seat, put in the right way, and used the right way every single ride. The good news is that the rules are simple once you know them.

According to the CDC, 1,019 child passengers age 14 and younger were killed in car crashes in the United States in 2023, and more than 142,000 were hurt. Of the children who died, 43% were not buckled up. The NHTSA says car seats saved 325 children under age 5 in one year. Here is what every parent should know.

The right seat for each age

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) gives these steps. Only move to the next seat when your child outgrows the one they are in.

1. Rear facing seat

Keep your baby and toddler facing the back as long as possible, until they reach the top weight or height allowed by the seat maker. Most convertible seats let children ride rear facing for 2 years or more. The NHTSA says a child under age 1 should always ride rear facing.

2. Forward facing seat with straps

When your child outgrows the rear facing limits, use a forward facing seat with built in straps and a top tether. Keep using these straps as long as possible, up to the top weight or height for that seat. The AAP says this should be at least until age 4.

3. Booster seat

When your child outgrows the forward facing seat, use a belt positioning booster seat until the car's seat belt fits the right way. This usually happens when a child is 4 feet 9 inches tall and 8 to 12 years old. Most children don't fit in a seat belt alone until age 10 to 12.

4. Seat belt

The seat belt fits when:

• The lap belt lies across the upper thighs, not the stomach.
• The shoulder belt crosses the middle of the shoulder and chest, not the neck or face.

All children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat.

Buckle up the right way

• Snug straps: Do the pinch test. After you buckle your child, try to pinch the strap at the shoulder. If you can pinch any slack, tighten it.
• Chest clip: Place it in the center of the chest, even with the armpits.
• Strap height: For rear facing seats, the straps should come from slots at or below the shoulders. For forward facing seats, use slots at or just above the shoulders.
• No bulky coats: Winter coats and snowsuits can squish in a crash and leave the straps too loose. Dress your child in thin layers. After you buckle them, put a coat or blanket over the straps to keep them warm.

Put the seat in the right way

• Install the seat with the lower anchors (LATCH) or the seat belt. The AAP says both are equally safe. Most of the time, use only one, not both, unless the seat and car makers say you can.
• Check that it is tight. If the seat moves more than an inch side to side or front to back at the belt path, it is not tight enough.
• Never put a rear facing seat in the front seat of a car with an active front airbag. The airbag can hit the back of the car seat near your baby's head and cause serious injury or death.
• Get it checked. The NHTSA says certified technicians at car seat inspection stations will check your seat free of charge in most cases and show you how to use it.

Used and old car seats

The AAP says to avoid a used car seat if you don't know its history. Never use a seat that:

• Is too old. Check the label for the date it was made, and ask the maker how long it can be used.
• Has cracks, is missing parts or was recalled
• Has no label with the date and model number, or has no instructions
• Was in a moderate or severe crash

Some makers say to replace the seat after any crash, even a small one. Check your seat's manual.

Car seats are for travel, not sleep

Babies often fall asleep in the car. That is OK while you drive. But the AAP says car seats should be used only for travel, not for sleeping or feeding outside the car. If your baby falls asleep in a car seat, stroller, swing or carrier, move them to a firm, flat sleep surface on their back as soon as you can.

Never leave a child alone in a car

A car gets hot fast. The NHTSA says a child's body heats up three to five times faster than an adult's. More than 1,000 children have died of heatstroke in hot cars in the past 25 years. Rolling the windows down or parking in the shade does little to keep the car cool.

Over half of these deaths happen when a parent or caregiver forgets a child is in the car. These tips can help:

• Never leave your child in the car alone, not even for a minute.
• Always check the back seat before you lock the car and walk away.
• Put your purse or bag in the back seat as a reminder.
• Ask your childcare provider to call you if your child doesn't show up.
• Always lock your car, and keep keys out of reach. Teach kids that a car is not a place to play.
• If you see a child alone in a locked car, call 911 right away.

Make car rides a good habit

Kids learn best when a routine is the same every time. Buckle up on every ride, even short trips. Our song You Have To Do It The Right Way teaches kids to pay attention and remember the steps "for things to come out well." It is about getting ready for school, but the lesson works in the car too. Buckle first, then we go.

Long drive to see family? Play Let's Go To Grandpa's House, a happy song about fishing with grandpa and baking cookies with grandma. Our Left and Right song, where Bebo the penguin learns his sides while riding his bike, is fun to sing along to as you turn left and right on the road. Find more children's songs on our music page.

For more ways to keep your child safe, read our safety rules every child should know and our tips on fall prevention in toddlers.

Questions Parents Ask About Car Seats

When can my child face forward?

Not until they reach the top weight or height for rear facing in their seat. Check the label or manual. Most convertible seats allow rear facing for 2 years or more.

When can my child stop using a booster seat?

When the seat belt fits the right way without it. This is usually when a child is 4 feet 9 inches tall and 8 to 12 years old.

When can my child sit in the front seat?

The AAP and CDC say all children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat.

Can my baby wear a winter coat in the car seat?

No. A bulky coat can leave the straps too loose in a crash. Use thin layers, then put a coat or blanket over the buckled straps.

Is it safe to buy a used car seat?

Only if you know its full history. Don't use a seat that is too old, was recalled, has cracks or missing parts, or was in a moderate or severe crash.

Is it OK for my baby to nap in the car seat at home?

No. Car seats are for travel only. If your baby falls asleep in one, move them to a firm, flat surface on their back as soon as you can.

Where can I get my car seat checked?

Find a car seat inspection station through the NHTSA website. Certified technicians will check it free of charge in most cases.

This post is for general information only. It is not medical advice. If you have questions about your child's health, please talk to your child's doctor.