Car Safety for Young Children

By Eileen Nelson, MA
Early Childhood Specialist
Minnesota Department of Education

 

Car safety is an important part of the overall responsibility of keeping your child safe. Never allow your child to ride in the car in someone's arms. In a sudden stop or accident she could be severely injured. All young children must be in car safety seats that are appropriate for an individual child's size, weight and stage of physical development. Children risk serious injury or harm if the car seat is too large or is not properly installed.

Choosing the Proper Seat

To protect your child, you need a car safety seat that is designed to protect your child at her stage of physical development and weight. There are several resources that will help you choose the type of seat your child needs including general information on choosing a car seat, specific information about the best car seat for your vehicle and ratings information about child safety seat ease of use.

Installing the Car Safety Seat Correctly

There are several styles of car seats and car models differ in the way a car seat is installed. Be sure to install the car seat correctly. Watch a video about installing the car seat correctly.

You must adjust your child's car seat as your baby grows. Pay attention to your child's weight and development and adjust the car safety seats as needed. Remember to always buckle your baby into the car seat before you drive away