Why Are Car Seats So Important?

Chances are, you've heard your grandparents talk about driving with a baby in their lap, instead of in the car seats that are now required by law throughout the U.S. and Canada. State laws vary regarding how old a child must be before riding in a car without a car seat, with most states requiring a child to use a booster seat through age 7 or 8. If your child is under 4 years old, it is illegal to drive him anywhere in the U.S. without an appropriate car seat.

  1. Reduced Risk

    • The main reason children are required to ride in car seats is to reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of an accident. The Canada Safety Council states that "motor vehicle collisions are the number one cause of death for children ages 1 to 9." According to KidsHealth.org, children under the age of 2 are 75 percent less likely to be seriously injured or killed in a car accident if they are riding in a rear-facing car seat. Having your child in a car seat significantly reduces the risk that he will be hurt or killed should you ever have an accident with him in the car.

    The Right Car Seat

    • Make sure that your child's car seat is the right type for his size, weight and age, and that it can be installed properly in your car. Use either an infant car seat or a rear-facing convertible car seat until your baby weighs 20 pounds. Older babies can ride in a convertible car seat or a forward-facing car seat. The experts at KidsHealth.org recommend using a rear-facing seat until your child is 2 years old. Once your child is over 60 to 80 pounds (depending on the model of car seat you have been using), use a booster seat designed for his size and age.

    When Children Can Ride without Car Seats

    • Children should ideally continue to use a booster seat until they are 4-foot-9 and at least 8 years old, according to KidsHealth.org. Many states allow children to ride in a car without a booster seat at earlier ages, but the safety benefits of having your child in a booster seat far outweigh any inconvenience they may cause. Have your child use a booster seat until he meets your state's requirements and can bend his knees at the end of the seat while sitting up straight with his back against the seat back.

    Proper Installation

    • Car seats save children's lives, but only if they're installed properly. According to the Canada Safety Council, almost 75 percent of car seats are not properly installed. If you are unsure whether you have installed your child's car seat correctly, you can have it inspected at most hospitals, health departments, police stations and fire departments. As a rule of thumb, the car seat should be installed tightly and should have less than 1 inch of "give." If your car features the LATCH tether system -- most cars manufactured since 2000 do -- make sure that it is properly installed as well.

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