Safety Seat Guide

Research shows that seat belts and child safety seats are the most effective safety device in preventing serious injuries and deaths in motor vehicle crashes.

Seat belts have been shown to reduce the risk of fatal or serious injury by 45-50 percent. Additionally, child safety seats have been shown to reduce infant fatal injuries by 71 percent and children 1-4 years by 54 percent.

AAA recommends four stages of occupant protection for child passengers. These stages are dependent on child's age and weight and are in keeping with AAA policy and the best practices of safety experts including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics. AAA's approach protects all children - from infancy to age 18.

Stage 1: Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

Who:

• Birth to 1 year+
• Up to 20 pounds (Children can remain rear-facing to the upper weight limit of the child safety seat.)

Why:

The rear-facing position supports the child's entire head, neck and back and helps reduce stress to the neck and spinal cord in a crash. Age is the most important factor due to developmental issues. However, both age and weight requirements should be met before the child is moved to a forward-facing seat.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:

Children should face the rear of the vehicle until they are at least 1 year old and weigh at least 20 pounds to decrease the risk of cervical spine injury in the event of a crash. Infants who weigh 20 pounds before 1 year of age should ride rear-facing in a convertible seat or infant seat approved for higher weights until at least 1 year old. For optimal protection, the child should remain rear-facing until he or she reaches the maximum weight for the car safety seat, as long as the top of the head is below the top of the seat back.

Be Sure:

• ALWAYS use rear-facing seat for this age and weight.
• Harness straps at or below shoulder level.

Stage 2: Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

Who:

• More than 1 year
• 20-40 pounds

Why:
These seats include an internal harness system that keeps the child properly restrained and snug straps that limit forward motion, providing greater "ride down." The forward-facing position provides for the even distribution of physical forces over the child's body in the event of a crash.

Be Sure:

• Harness straps at or above shoulder level.
• Most forward-facing seats require the top slot for the harness.
• ALWAYS in the back seat!

Stage 3: Booster Seat

Who:

• Over 40 pounds
• Usually around age 4 (use until safety belt fits properly)

Why:

• Seat belts are designed for 165-pound male adults, so it's no wonder that research shows poorly fitting adult belts can injure children.
• Booster seats help ensure proper seat belt placement - resulting in a safer ride for your child. It is the appropriate next step after the child has outgrown a forward-facing child safety seat.

Be Sure:

• ALWAYS use both lap and shoulder belt with a booster seat.
• Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight across the lap/upper thigh area - NOT the abdomen.
• Shoulder belt should cross the chest and shoulder.
• ALWAYS in the back seat!

Stage 4: Lap/Shoulder Belt

When:

• Safety belt fits properly
  • Shoulder belt across collar bone & chest.
  • Lap belt fits across hips/thighs, not abdomen.
• Knees bend naturally over edge of seat while sitting erect, with back flat against seat back.

Why:

• Motor-vehicle crashes are the No. 1 killer of children - including teenagers!
• Crashes killed more than 2,300 kids last year alone, ranking far ahead of all other types of unintentional injuries and claiming more lives than any childhood disease.
• Many of these deaths could have been prevented if only the children had been properly buckled up.
• Children under 13 years of age should be properly restrained in the back seat. Teenagers should wear lap and shoulder belts in every seating position in a motor vehicle.

Be Sure:

• ALWAYS require seat belt use for all passengers.
• Make sure the lap belt fits low and tight across the lap/upper thigh area - NOT the abdomen!.
• Shoulder belt should cross the chest and shoulder.

Remember: The Back is Where It's At!

The back seat is safer for everyone - especially children under age 13. Properly restraining a child in the back seat can significantly reduce the risk of death or injury in a crash.