The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in conjunction with Graco Children’s Products, has developed the following checklist for parents and caregivers who drive with children in the car:
– Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the vehicle and the car seat and check that the car seat is securely installed.
– Be sure the car seat is appropriate for your child’s weight and height.
– Make sure all passengers younger than 12 are in the back seat, the safest place for a child to ride.
– Never use a rear-facing infant car seat in a seating location where there is an air bag.
– Infants weighing less than 20 pounds and younger than 1 should always ride facing the rear.
– Always anchor the car seat to the vehicle seat using the adult seat belt or the LATCH installation system as directed by the car seat’s manufacturer.
– Do not use a car seat that is more than six years old. Some manufacturers may caution that their car seats be used for a period of time that is even shorter than this. So refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
– Do not use a car seat that has been involved in a motor vehicle crash. If your seat has been involved in a crash but does not appear damaged, it should still be replaced.
– Do not use a car seat that is missing the manufacturer’s label showing the name of the manufacturer, model number and date of manufacture.
– Booster seats are recommended for children more than 30 pounds, but consider height and maturity level of your child before making the switch from a car seat.
