Childhood Injury Prevention Handbook

Children’s of Alabama

MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY

Motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of injuries in children. Car seats and seat belts can help prevent injuries and deaths caused by car crashes. It is important to buckle up your child on every ride and every time in the right seat for them. Children grow quickly, so making sure you have the right car seat for every stage of your child’s development is important. Rear-Facing The AAP recommends that all infants ride rear-facing, starting with their first ride home from the hospital. All infants and young children should ride in a rear-facing seat as long as possible until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer. Check your car seat. Some seats can stay rear-facing up to 35 pounds.

Forward-Facing with Harness Children should ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness until they outgrow it (can last until they are up to 65 pounds in some models). Booster Seat Children who have reached the height and weight limits of their forward-facing car seat should ride in a booster seat until the adult

seat belt fits correctly, usually not until they are at least 4'9"and weight between 80–100 pounds (8 to 12 years old).

14