Child Passenger Safety

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, nearly 60% of car seats are used incorrectly. Properly used car seats decrease the risk of fatal injury by 71% among infants under Age 1 and by 54% for toddlers. Booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury by 45% for children aged 4-8, when compared with seat belt use alone. 

Virtual Car Seat Safety Classes

Aspirus offers free, live Virtual Car Seat Safety Classes taught by a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) via WebEx. These classes are interactive and allow you to ask questions. For class dates and times and to register, visit our programs & events page (keyword search “car seat”).

Resources by Seat Type / Child’s Age

Rear-facing Car Seats for Infants and Toddlers: Birth – Age 2+

 All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat manufacturer. When infants outgrow their rear-facing only seat, a convertible seat installed rear facing is needed. Most convertible seats have limits that will allow children to ride rear facing for 2 years or more. 

Forward-facing Car Seats for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Age 2-4+

Children who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their convertible car seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat manufacturer. Many forward-facing seats with harnesses can accommodate children up to 50-65 pounds.

Booster Seats for School-age Children: Ages 4+ AND over 40 pounds

All children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their car seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly. Typically, the vehicle seat belt fits properly when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height, which is usually 8 to 12 years of age. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat.

Seat Belt: When the seat belt fits correctly, usually at Ages 8-12+

When children are old enough and large enough for the vehicle seat belt to fit them correctly (typically when they’ve reached 4 feet 9 inches in height), they should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for the best protection. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat. 

Other Important Tips

Car Seats and Winter Coats

We know you want your little ones to be warm, but please don’t buckle your child into a car seat harness while wearing a bulky coat. The coat can compress in a crash and create a loose car seat harness, putting your child at greater risk of injury in the event of a crash. Instead, lay the jacket over your children like a blanket once they’re safely secured. Learn more Winter Car Seat Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Disposal of Car Seats

Car seats that are expired, have been in an accident, or were acquired at a thrift store may be dangerous. Please watch the video below to learn how to properly dispose of your car seat.