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Baby Carseat Safety Guidelines

When traveling, a baby should always be secured in a car safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle. Follow these guidelines to ensure your baby is kept safe while riding in a vehicle.

  1. Rear-Facing

    • According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies should always be placed in a rear-facing car safety seat until they are at least 12 months old and weigh twenty pounds. It is advisable to keep the child facing the rear of the car as long as the car safety seat allows.

    Air Bags

    • Car seats should always be placed in the back seat of the vehicle. A car seat should never be in the front seat as air bags can cause serious injury to the child in the event of an accident.

    Used Car Seats

    • According to SeatCheck, car seats that have been involved in an accident or are more than six years old are not safe for use. Always know the history of a used car safety seat before using it.

    Installation

    • Certified inspectors can check if a car safety seat is installed properly. These inspectors can be found at most fire departments, police stations or hospitals. SeatCheck provides a searchable database to find a certified inspector.

    Considerations

    • The hospital will not allow a newborn baby to leave the premises without being secured in a car safety seat. Install the car seat early to ensure a proper fit with your vehicle.

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