Car seat safety recommendations and car seat models have changed over the years, which makes it important for parents to keep up with all of the latest information on car seats to help keep their kids as safe as possible when riding in the car.
For example, did you know that most experts recommend that:
- toddlers continue to ride rear-facing as long as possible and until they reach the height and weight limits of their car seat, which may be well after their first birthday and they reach 20 pounds
- older toddlers and preschoolers, even after they are 4 years old and forty pounds, continue to ride in a harnessed seat as long as possible if they have a car seat with a harness that has high weight and height limits, keeping in mind that many parents move their kids out of their harnessed car seats and into a booster seat too soon
- school age children ride in a booster seat until the car's seat belts fit them correctly, when they are about 4'9" tall, which may not be until they are between 8 and 12 years of age, keeping in mind that many parents move their kids out of their booster seat and start using regular seat belts too soon
- avoid having your child wear heavy clothing, like a winter coat, that may interfere with proper harnessing
To keep your child safe, in addition to choosing the right type and model of car seat, it is important that you use your car seat correctly by following the above car seat best practices.
Related:
Car Seats
Registering Your Car Seat
Car Seat Mistakes
Winter Coats and Car Seats
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