If you have kids that are still in a car seat or booster seat – this is a message you do not want to take lightly. Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old. And every 33 seconds a child under 13 is involved in a car crash in the United States. Many times deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.
Unless you plan on walking, a lot, your child needs a car seat from the time you walk out of the hospital until they are at least 7 years old. And, by law, most states now require children to ride in booster seats until they weigh at least 60 pounds or more. So they could still be in a seat even after they turn 9 years old.
Can you imagine? Thinking that your child is in the right car seat, only to find out that they aren’t!
By working with the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) we hope to get out a message that will educate parents and caregivers about the importance of selecting the right seat for their child’s age and size, and to remind them that car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for children in crashes and help save lives.
So what do you choose? Infant, convertible, or booster seat? Finding the right car seat and installing it correctly is no easy task. Then there’s the question of when to transition your child to another type of car seat. Following these steps will help you find the right car seat based on car seat type, age and size recommendations, and will show you how to install your car seat the correct way.
Step 1 -> Find the right car seat based on:
- Car Seat Types
Learn about the four types of car seats. - Age & Size Recommendations (from birth to age 13)
Follow these recommendations for selecting a car seat based on your child’s age and size. - Find a Car Seat
Compare car seat makes and models using our Car Seat Finder tool. - Car Seat Ease-of-Use Ratings
Evaluate car seat features using our car seat ease-of-use ratings.
Step 2 -> Install your car seat correctly
- Follow these car seat installation tips to keep your child safe.
Step 3 -> Register your car seat
- Don’t delay—register your car seat today to receive car seat and booster seat recall notices.
Step 4 -> Get recall notifications on your car seat
- Sign up to receive e-mail alerts about car seat and booster seat recallsfrom NHTSA.
Get this message out to your friends and family!
- Twitter – Many parents do not realize their child is in the wrong car seat. Visit Safercar.gov/TheRightSeat and make sure your child is riding safely. #therightseat.
- Facebook – Storks know how to keep kids safe. Do you? Visit safercar.gov/therightseat to know for sure that your child is in the right seat for their age and size. #STORKS #TheRightSeat
