New Recommendations for Car Seat Safety

New car seat recommendations were released yesterday, March 21, 2011, from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Here is a brief overview of the current recommendations:

Birth - 12 months

Type of seat: Infant car seats and rear-facing convertible car seats

All infants under 12 months should always ride in a rear facing car seat. Infant-only car seats can only be used rear-facing, convertible car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for rear-facing position, allowing your child to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.

Chicco Keyfit 30 Infant Car Seat- Fuego

1 - 3 Years

Type of seat:

Convertible car seats and forward-facing car seats with harnesses

Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible. Your child should remain rear-facing until at least age 2, or until he or she reaches the highest height or weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer, whichever occurs last.

Recaro ProRIDE Convertable Car Seat - Envy

4 - 7 Years

Type of seat: Booster seats

Your child should ride in a forward-facing car seat with harness until he or she has reached the top height and weight limit allowed by your car seat's manufacturer.

Recaro Vivo Booster - Crimson

                                                      8 to 12 Years

Type of seat: Booster seats and vehicle seats with a seat belt

Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seatbelt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the chest and not on the neck or face. Most children will need a booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years old. Children should ride in the backseat of the vehicle until they are 13 years old.

Clek Olli Booster - Red Skurvy

Helpful links for more information:

AAP UPDATES RECOMMENDATION ON CAR SEATS

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/carseat2011.htm

NHTSA RELEASES NEW CHILD SEAT GUIDELINES

http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2011/NHTSA+Releases+New+Child+Seat+Guidelines

CAR SEAT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHILDREN

http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/4StepsFlyer.pdf

CAR SAFETY SEATS: INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES FOR 2011

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token