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The proper use of infant, car and booster seats, as well as the perils of airbags and aircraft seats, are important for every parent to understand.

Summer travel provides us an opportunity to remind you that proper use of a car seat is crucial for your child's safety. Please remember that no matter how tired, bored or restless your young passengers become, the only safe place for them to be is properly secured in their approved infant/child/booster seat.  It's the law!  Please refer to manufacturers' instructions for more detailed information.

Some Carseat Safety Reminders

Use an infant car seat from birth until a weight of 20 lbs. and 1 year of age, always rear facing and placed in the rear seat. Convertible car seats can be used for infants and children (from birth until about 40 lbs). These should be rear facing until infants are beyond 20 lbs. and 1 year of age, then forward-facing until the child is about 40 lbs.

Booster seats are for bigger kids who have out-grown child car seats (more than 40 lbs.)  There are two types: a belt positioning booster (for cars with lap and shoulder belts) and a shield booster (for cars with only lap belts). Both raise your child upward. A shoulder belt should never cross your child's throat and should not be tucked behind your child; it should fit across your child's shoulders. A lap belt should not cross the child's stomach; it should fit securely across your child's hips.

To prevent injuries from the force of airbag inflation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges us to be sure that all children under 13, including those in car seats, always sit in the back seat.

If a child must ride in the front, they should be in a forward-facing carseat with a buckle, and the seat should be moved as far back from the dashboard as possible.

Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends that on planes children under 4-years ride in approved seats which are "certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft." They have banned booster seats and harness or vest restraints on aircrafts stating that they provide inadequate protection during take-off, landing and taxiing.

Buckle up your tots when traveling. Stay snug, secure and safe!