Car Seat Safety

Get Your Car Seat Inspected

There's no wrong time to have your car seat inspected for free for proper installation and fit! Check this list of Indiana inspection stations to find one near you.

Find an Inspection Station

Do you know if you're using the right car seat for your child?

Watch and share this short video from the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration that will help you choose the right car seat.

Car Seat Guidelines

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued its most recent policy on car seat use in 2011. The policy advises parents to keep their child in a rear-facing car seat until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight limit for their seat. It also advises that most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age.

Rear facing car seat position

Car Seat Recommendations By Age

Birth – 12 months/1 year

Children under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats: Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing. A convertible car seat and 3-in-1 seats have a higher height and weight limit for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.

1 – 3 years

Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep him or her safe. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.

4 – 7 years

Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.

8 – 12 years

Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember: your child should still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.

*From https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats  

Car Seat Safety Tips for Parents

  • Restrain your child every time you drive.
  • Keep children rear-facing until age 2 or they meet the height or weight of the seat.
  • Keep children in the back seat.
  • Register your car seat.