Child safety has made great strides in recent years as car-seat manufacturers come up with more innovative ways to protect children in automobiles. Still, in the United States during 2005, 1,335 children ages 14 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and approximately 184,000 were injured. Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S.
On the other hand, an estimated 425 lives were saved by car and booster seat use in 2006 among children under age 5.
Child safety seats come in three varieties.
1.) Rear-facing seats; from birth to 1 year old and 20-35 pounds. For the best possible protection keep infants in the back seat.
2.) Forward-facing seat; from 1 year old and 20-40 pounds. Most of these forward-facing seats can be converted to a belt-positioning booster seat after the child reaches 40 pounds.
3.) Booster seats; for children over 40 pounds and to 60 pounds. They must be used with lap and shoulder belts.
After a child reaches least 6 years old or 60 pounds she is eligible to use a regular seat belt. The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends all children 12 years and under should ride in the back seat.
