Skip to main content

Car Seat Frequently Asked Questions

Seat belts, when worn properly, are made to protect adults by directing crash forces to the strongest parts of

the body. Young children are much smaller and have underdeveloped bodies. Car harnesses or seat belts alone do not protect them from serious harm during motor vehicle accidents.

There are many choices. There are 3 main types:

  • Rear-facing 

  • Forward-facing 

  • Booster seats 

All U.S. car seats are required to meet and pass crash tests under U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) works to make it easier for families to choose and use a car seat correctly.

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) are trained to teach families how to install their car seats. Safe Kids coalitions car seat checkup events around the country with trained technicians throughout the year. Look for a CPST near you.

 

 

Car seats expire usually between 6 and 10 years. Look for a label on the car seat or in the plastic shell that tells you the:

  • make

  • model

  • date of manufacture

  • manufacturer information

 

 

The best way is to register the car seat. You can:

  • mail the registration card that comes with your car seat to the manufacturer.

  • register the car seat online using the information on the car seat labels.

    If there is a safety recall on the car seat you have, the car seat manufacturer will contact you about:

  • those safety issues.

  • how to fix it.

You may also sign up with NHTSA to register your car seat and receive email alerts. 

Buying a new car seat is best unless you are using a family member’s car seat, and you know its history.

  • Be sure to ask if (has it been in a crash.

  • This will make sure that you have a car seat that has the latest technology.

  • Make sure that you have all the parts, labels, and instructions that go with the car seat.

shows babies who are riding rear-facing in their car seats less injury in crashes than kids who are forward-facing. Rear-facing car seats have the most protection possible for children.

  • Any child who can ride rear-facing, even kids over age 2, should do so.

  • They should use a car seat to the highest weight or height that their car seat allows.

  • Refer to your car seat manufacturer’s manual to find the weight and height limitations of the seat.

  • Do not be in a hurry to switch to forward-facing when your child still has the chance to be rear facing.

 

 

 

 

All children, age 12 years and under, should ride in the back seat.

  • A rear-facing car seat should never be used in the front seat of a car with an active air bag.

All children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seat limits for weight and height should:

  • use a belt positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly.

  • stay in a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly.

  • This is usually when the child reaches about 4 feet 9 inches in height and is 8 to 12 years old.

  • Children who are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for the best protection.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that car seats:

  • be replaced after a moderate or severe This is to make sure child passengers are protected.

  • do not always need to be replaced following a minor Be sure to follow your car seat manufacturer’s instructions.

  • The vehicle can be driven away from the crash site.

  • The vehicle door nearest the car seat was not

  • There were no injuries to anyone in the car.

  • The air bags (if present) did not deploy.

  • There is no visible damage to the car sea.

Community Programs: Center for Childhood Safety Menu
Children's Mercy Kansas City   /    In the Community   /    Community Programs with Children's Mercy   /    Center for Childhood Safety   /   Car Seat Frequently Asked Questions