Car Seat Safety: How To Choose And Install Correctly

Raise your hand if you KNOW for sure that you are putting your child in the right car seat for child and for your car. Many fire departments have experts that can help you install your car seat in the right safe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has provided this tip on proper car seat purchasing and installation.

Children progress from infant, rear facing infant seats "as long as they fit." Then, they move into a forward facing seat with a harness. Once they outgrow that, you can move your child on to a booster seat.

The back seat is the place to be until your child is age 13-years-old or older, according to the NHTSA.

"The goal is to make sure your child is in the correct car seat, that it’s properly installed and used, and that it’s registered with its manufacturer to ensure you receive important safety updates," an NTHSA spokesperson said.

If you have a car seat in your vehicle, visit a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician in your community--typically in the fire department or at city hall--to double-check that it’s properly installed.

According to the NTHSA can use this simple search tool to find a car seat inspection station near you right now or visit a car seat check in your community on National Seat Check Saturday on September 29.

Photo: Shutterstock