Child Passenger Safety Checklist

Seat

• Child passenger safety begins with putting your child in the proper seat. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants and toddlers should be secured in rear-facing car seats until age 2. Toddlers and preschoolers move to a forward-facing car seat. Once your child exceeds the weight limits for the forward-facing car seat, your child should be placed in a booster seat. Children typically outgrow booster seats between 8 and 12 years of age, according to the AAP. At that point they should use seat belts.

Location

• Children should sit in the back seat at all times, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Airbags can injure or even kill young children seated in the front seat. The safest location in the car is the center of the back seat, where children are less likely to be harmed by side impact in the event of a crash. By the age of 13, children can ride in the front seat, according to the CDC.

Proper Installation

• In order for car seats -- both rear-facing and forward-facing -- as well as booster seats to be effective, you must install them properly. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation; you can install using the LATCH system or a seat belt. You can have your car seat's installation checked by National Child Passenger Safety Certified Technicians in your area.

Other Checks

• Maintain child passenger safety by ensuring that your child's car seat or booster seat is in proper working order. The AAP cautions against purchasing or accepting used car seats when you do not know their crash history. In addition, you should replace any car seats or booster seats that were involved in a moderate to severe crash. When securing your child in the car seat, make sure the straps are secure by removing any bulky clothing, such as winter coats or snowsuits.