How can I make sure my child's car seat is safe?

Some state laws require that all children must be safely buckled into an approved child car or booster seat until they reach the age of 8 or a weight of 80 pounds. The car seat must be used exactly as the car-seat maker instructs, or your child may not be safe. Here are a few tips to ensure your child's car-seat safety.

Check the seat:

• The middle of the back seat is the safest place for a car seat.
• Never place a rear-facing car seat in a position with an active airbag.
• Secure the car seat tightly, allowing as little movement as possible at the base of the car seat.

Check the child:

• The harness straps must go over the child's shoulders and lie flat against the child's chest.
• The harness clip should lie flat at armpit level.
• Allow no more than one finger to fit between the harness strap and the child's shoulders.

Check the age/weight guidelines:

• Up to 1 year and 20 pounds: Use a rear-facing seat.
• At least 1 year old and up to 40 pounds: Use a forward-facing seat.
• More than 40 pounds: Use a booster seat. (The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that booster seats, used in conjunction with lap/shoulder belts, be used until the child is 8 years old unless the child is 4'9".)

Go to the NHTSA website to find a child safety seat inspection station nearest you. Certified technicians will inspect your child safety seat and show you how to correctly install and use it. See: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm