Car crashes are the second-leading cause of death for children under the age of 1 – and the leading cause of death for kids and young adults from ages 1-24, according to the National Safety Council. Children need special protection in vehicles to keep them safe in the event of a crash. Parents are encouraged to devote time to learn how to properly use car seats, booster seats and seat belts:
Instructions
Read the manufacturer instructions for your car seat or booster seat, as well as for your vehicle
Ensure you are installing your child safety seat correctly in the vehicle
Ensure you are securing your child in the car seat, booster seat or seat belt correctly
Seat Selection
When choosing a car seat or booster seat, keep children in each phase of protection for as long as possible through the upper weight or height limits of your child safety seat
NHTSA offers steps you can follow to find the right child safety seat and to use it correctly to keep your child safe
For more information about keeping children safe during travel, please visit the Diversity Resource Library
Meet with a Technician
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to meet with a nationally certified child passenger safety (CPS) technician to learn how to correctly use car seats, booster seats and seat belts for all passengers in your vehicle
Tens of millions of vehicles with Takata air bags are under recall and pose a very serious threat to safety. Is your vehicle one of them?
Additional Resources:
Installation Videos (How-to guides for rear-facing and forward-facing car seats, booster seats and looking beyond boosters to achieve a proper seat belt fit)
View Resource Calendar