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Travel Safe With Your Kids

Car crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 2 to 14, due to the nonuse or improper use of child seats and seat belts. Many of these deaths can be prevented. Placing children in age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats reduces serious and fatal injuries by more than half.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration;

  • Infants from birth to at least one year old should ride in the back seat in a rear facing safety seat.
  • Children over one year and at least 20 pounds may ride in a forward facing child safety seat in the back seat.
  • All children who have outgrown safety seats should be properly restrained in booster seats until they are at least 8-years old or 4.9” tall.
  • When children outgrow a booster seat, they should be properly restrained in the back seat with adult seat belts.

Seat belts Should Always be Worn Correctly

Your child should stay in a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly (usually when the child reaches about 4.9” tall and is between 8 and 12 years of age). Always remember;

  • The shoulder belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat.
  • The lap belt is low and snug across the upper thighs, not the belly.
  • Your child is tall enough to sit against the vehicle seat back with his or her knees bent without slouching and can stay in this position comfortably throughout the trip.
  • Make sure your child does not tuck the shoulder belt under his or her arm or behind the back. This leaves the upper body unprotected, putting your child at risk of severe injury in a crash or with sudden braking.
  • Never allow anyone to “share” seat belts. All passengers must have their own car safety seats or seat belts.

Protect Your Children

  • Place children in age-appropriate car or booster seats in the back seat
  • Never leave your child unattended in or around a car
  • Lock all car doors and trunks and keep all keys and remote devices away from children
  • Buckle unused seatbelts
  • Engage the emergency brake every time you park