Car Seat Safety

Your little one is going places. Help them get there safely.

Child Passenger Safety Seat Inspection Stations

Hot Topics in Car Seat and Booster Seat Safety

Rear-Facing Car Seat Law for Children Up to 2 Years

All children are required by law to remain in a rear-facing car seat until at least age 2. This is a result of research that shows that younger children are more protected in a rear-facing car seat. In this position, the head, neck, and back are kept in line and fully supported by the car seat shell, leading to fewer head and spinal injuries. 

Use a car seat that is appropriate for your child’s height and weight. Most infants will outgrow the infant-only, carrier-style car seat before one year of age. They should then transition into a convertible car seat used in the rear-facing position.

Convertible car seats will then be able to be turned forward-facing for older toddlers, but not before age 2. Many convertible car seats can accommodate a rear-facing position for an extended time for older children up to 40-50 pounds.  

For questions about car seat stages and ages, contact the CHKD child passenger safety program at (757) 668-8655.

Click here for the latest American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for transporting children with special healthcare needs.

For assistance with your car-seat installation or to have the car-seat fit and installation inspected, please access the list of approved car seat check locations at the links below and above, or call our program at (757) 668-8655 for assistance.

Car Seat Safety 

In Virginia and North Carolina, all children must use a properly installed car or booster seat that meets Department of Transportation standards until their 8th birthday. The best safety practice is to continue to use booster seats until children are able to fit in an adult seat belt (at about 4'9" tall and 80 pounds). The seat must be properly installed and used whenever a child rides in any car, including a grandparent’s or babysitter’s.

Child passenger safety laws also state that drivers are responsible for making sure that children who have outgrown car seats and booster seats are properly restrained using the vehicle lap and shoulder belts. If children in a car are not properly secured, a driver can be stopped and given a ticket, even if no other safety violation occurs. Remember, the safest place for all children is in the back seat until they are old enough to drive!

• Car Seat & Booster Seat Safety, Ratings, and Guidelines from the NHTSA
• NHTSA: Child Seat Recall List
  
  

The Importance of Booster Seats - Keeping Your Big Kid Safe

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) Update:

There has been many changes in the recommendations for use of the LATCH system in vehicles. Most of the controversy has arisen related to the maximum weight limits allowed for installation using the lower anchors. It is unclear based on limited testing of the newer, heavier car seats that accommodate larger, heavier children whether the LATCH system is of adequate strength to hold in a crash. Please consult your vehicle’s owner manual, car seat instruction manual, and a Child Passenger Safety Technician for assistance if needed. Car seat labeling now includes the maximum weight for lower anchor installation. At any time, you can install your car seat with a locked vehicle seat belt. Remember to store the LATCH straps if you are not using them to prevent them from causing injury.

You should always use the rear/top tether strap regardless of installation with lower anchors or seat belt, unless your vehicle prohibits use at a designated weight limit. This assists with limiting head movement in a crash and can decrease head and neck injuries. If you have trouble locating the anchors, please consult your vehicle owner’s manual and get your seat checked at an approved seat check station. You may see this symbol indicating the location of the child seat anchor.

Minivan or SUV

Sedan or Car with Trunk

Guidelines By Age

Infant

Infants must always ride in a rear-facing car seat . It is recommended that children ride rear facing as long as possible as it provides superior crash protection. As of July 2019, infants and toddlers in Virginia are required to be in rear facing car seats until a minimum of age 2.

Choose an infant-only car seat/carrier or a rear-facing convertible seat that fits your baby by weight and height. The seat must fit in the back seat of the vehicle; it should never be placed in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger-side air bags.

Secure harness straps at or slightly below shoulder level in one of the lowest slots, snugly against the body. The chest clip should be secured at armpit level.

There must be adequate space in the vehicle for the seat to be reclined at the proper angle according to the car seat manual. Newborns should be reclined at a 45-degree angle. Some seats have multiple recline angles. Make sure to consult the instructions.

Your baby has outgrown the rear facing position when the weight limit has been met or the head is within 1 inch from the top of the seat.

Toddler (up to age 4)

It is recommended that toddlers remain rear-facing as long as possible. Use a convertible car seat that has an expanded rear-facing limit of up to 50 pounds in certain models. Rear facing provides greater crash protection in all types of crashes.

Children over age two may ride forward facing in a convertible or forward-facing seat in an upright position. Use a car seat with a harness system for as long as possible (up to 65 pounds).

In a forward facing car seat, secure harness at the slots at or slightly above the shoulders. The harness retainer clip/chest clip should be secured at armpit level.

If the seat was used rear facing initially, make sure to make all adjustments when moving it to the forward facing mode. This includes adjusting the recline adjustment to a more upright position per the seat instructions, changing the harness slots to a forward facing position, and installing the seat using the forward facing belt path or LATCH in the forward facing path. Failure to make these adjustments can prevent the seat from providing adequate protection in a crash.

Age 4-8

Children who are more than 4 years old and 40 pounds can remain in a five-point harness much longer with current available models, up to 65 pounds. Use a seat with a harness as long as possible, as it provides more crash protection than a booster seat. Check your child's weight and height to make sure they are still within the limits of the car seat harness system. 

Children who are four or older, and typically over 40 pounds can also move into a belt-positioning booster seat if they are developmentally ready to sit well without a five point harness. Some very active children will do better secured in a full harnessed seat for longer. When the child is ready, a booster seat provides a raised seat so that the vehicle seat belt is properly positioned on the child. For best protection, booster seats should be used until the child is about 4 feet 9 inches tall, which is usually around the age of 8-12. Prematurely moving a smaller child into a booster seat can put them at high risk of injury in a crash. Likewise, removing the booster seat too soon is also a high risk.

High-back boosters can provide better upper body crash protection than the no-back type. Most models have deep head wings and sides which provide protection in side impact crashes. Always use high back boosters in older vehicles with low seat backs or non-adjustable head restraints to provide head and neck protection. The high back boosters provide an easier adjustment for the shoulder belt on varying heights of children. Children who tend to fall asleep in the car will be better protected in a high back booster because they will be less likely to fall out of position.

For heavier or taller children who are not ready to sit safely in a booster seat, look for a car seat with a harness crash tested to hold 65 pounds, or consult the CHKD special needs car seat program for assistance. There are adaptive car seats available for higher weights.

There are many lightweight and compact travel options for ride share vehicles and car pools. Some options include:

• MiFold/HiFold - Folding Booster Seats
• Bubblebum - Inflatable Booster Seat
• Ride Safer Delight Travel Vest
• Graco Turbo Go Folding Booster
• WayB Folding Travel 5 Point Harness Car Seat
• EZ On Travel Vests

Age 8-12

To ride without a booster seat, children should be tall enough to sit all the way back with knees bent at the edge of the seat with feet on the floor, and be able to maintain this position at all times. The belt should cross over the child’s upper thighs, shoulder and collar bone. Never allow the child to move the shoulder belt under their arm or behind their back. If a child is over 8 years old, weighs more than 80 pounds, and is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, he should be ready for the vehicle lap and shoulder belts. Many children at age 8 are not tall enough to ride without a booster seat. Only about 50 percent of 10 year olds have reached this height. Riding without a booster seat when they are not tall enough for the vehicle's belt system increases their chances of severe injury or death in a crash.

Use the Five Step Test to find out if your big kid is big enough to ride in the seat belt alone!

1. Is the child able to sit all the way back in the seat with the lower back against the seat back with NO gap?
2. Do the child’s knees bend at the edge of the vehicle seat?
3. Does the shoulder portion of the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm, not touching the neck?
4. Is the lap portion of the belt low on the hips, touching the thighs?
5. Is the child able to stay seated with the seat belt in place for longer trips?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, a booster seat is still needed for belt fit and protection.

Things To Keep In Mind 

• Never take a child out of a safety seat while the car is in motion. 
• The back seat is the safest place for children under age 13. Many traffic safety professionals recommend back seat use until driver training.
• Never place an infant or child in under 13 in the front seat of a vehicle with airbags. If this seat is needed to transport children, your auto dealer can assist you with turning off your airbag. Child passenger safety technicians can help problem solve seating position issues.
• Always use a car seat that is approved by the Department of Transportation that is functioning correctly. 
• Do not alter your car seat in any way. This includes adding any extra padding or positioning products that did not come with the seat, which adds bulk under the child or between the child and the harness straps. 
• Remove bulky clothing and coats – these will keep the harness from being snug enough. Warm up the car and/or use blankets over the child after they have been buckled in. 
• Harness straps should always be flat and not twisted. DO NOT put harness straps in the washing machine, as this can weaken them. Follow the washing instructions of your specific car seat.
• The harness retainer clip (chest clip) is actually an important part of the system. It should always be positioned at armpit level.
• Tighten the harness system so that you cannot pinch any slack at the shoulders. Make sure the slack is fully tightened up at the hip area before you pull the harness adjuster.
• Keep a supply of soft toys in the car for play. Do not attach hard plastic toys to the car seats, as they can injure your child in the event of a crash. 
• Do not use a car seat that has been involved in a crash. It may be weakened in areas you cannot see. 
• Do not use a second-hand car seat if you do not know the previous owners or its history. 
• Do not use a car seat that has broken or missing parts. 
• During hot weather, always check the car seat parts for hot spots that may burn your child, such as metal harness adjusters or buckles. 
• Always complete and return the car seat registration card so you will be notified of any recalls. 
• In the case of a crash, do not remove the child from the car seat until medical personnel check for injuries.
• Car seats do expire. Check the bottom of the seat for an expiration date. If not listed, assume 6 years from date of manufacture.

Children With Special Needs

Evaluations for children with special transportation needs are available by trained Physical and Occupational Therapists for children who need short or long term travel solutions. Loaner specialty restraints may be available. Click here for more information on the Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Program. 

Disposing Of A Car Seat

Most car safety seats come with expiration dates determined by the manufacturer. If you can’t find the expiration date, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association recommends that a car seat be disposed of six years from its manufacture date. You can also call the manufacturer customer service line for your specific model. A car seat that was involved in a crash will need to be discarded. For questions regarding minor incidents and your car seat(s), please contact the manufacturer for recommendations. 

You can dispose of a car seat by taking it to an AAA Service Center. Some DMV offices will also accept car seats. If you can’t get to one of those places, you can dispose of an unsafe car seat by destroying it. That way there’s no chance of it being found and reused. 

For further information, please call (757) 668-8655.

Car Seat Assistance For Low-Income Virginia Residents

There are assistance programs for low-income Virginia residents who cannot afford to purchase a child safety seat. Please contact your local health department or call CHKD at (757) 668-8655 for more information.