Safety tips

The safest place for children twelve years and under is in the back seat.

Every child should be buckled into a child safety seat, a booster seat, or with a fitted lap and shoulder belt.

Infants who weigh less than twenty pounds OR are under one year of age should ride in a rear-facing child seat. The seat must be in the back seat and face the rear of the vehicle.

If facing forward in a crash or sudden stop, a baby's neck can be badly injured.

Babies riding in a car seat should never ride in the front seat. In a crash, the air bag can hit the car seat and injure or kill the baby.

Never hold a baby in your lap when you are riding in a car. Your child can be badly hurt or killed in a crash or sudden stop.

Children over twenty pounds AND at least one year old should ride in a car seat that faces the front of the vehicle. It is best to keep kids in the forward facing seat, placed in the rear seat of the car, for as long as they will fit comfortably.

Older children over forty pounds AND four years of age should ride in a booster seat until the car's lap and shoulder belt fit correctly. The lap belt should fit low and snug on the child's hips. The shoulder belt must not cross the child's face or neck. Never put the shoulder belt behind the child's back or under her arm.

Know how to properly install your child seat in the vehicle.

For additional information, contact the NHSTA hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT.