Car Seat Safety for Kids: Secure Every Ride With the Right Seat

Mom putting baby in car seat and checking that harness is secure

Whether driving your child down the block or across the country, Cook Children's has safe car seat recommendations for every trip.

Securing your child in a car seat can prevent a serious injury during a crash. Start with a rear-facing seat for infants and toddlers. These seats provide excellent head, neck and spine support.

A common myth is that once a child turns 2 years old, they can start using a forward-facing car seat. However, it's better to use a child's height and weight to decide when to use a forward-facing seat, not their age. Not all 2-year-olds are the same size. As a result, not all will be in the same car seat stage. It's safer for children to ride rear-facing as long as possible.

Growing up together

Once your child reaches the manufacturer's maximum height or weight for their rear-facing car seat, they're ready to move ahead in the safety seat journey. Here's what comes next:

Forward-facing car seat. Preschoolers and school-age children can use a five-point, forward-facing car seat until reaching the manufacturer's height or weight limit.
Booster seat. Your child should ride in a booster seat if they've outgrown a forward-facing car seat but don't meet the height or weight requirement for using a seat belt.
Seat belt. Texas law requires children to be at least 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches) tall to use a seat belt.

Choosing the right car seat

When choosing a car seat, be sure its features support your family's needs. The best car seat is the one that fits the child and the vehicle and that you can use correctly every time.

Secure your stuff

Buckling your child in a car seat keeps them secure. Loose objects in your car, however, could turn into dangerous projectiles in the event of a crash. Store unsecured items in a cargo area or glove compartment or leave them at home.

Related information

Find even more car seat safety tips, passenger safety, and tips for safe teen driving at Car and vehicle safety resources.
Need help installing your child's car seat? Schedule an appointment with a nationally certified child passenger safety technician at freecarseatcheck.org.