How to Choose the Safest Child Car Seat

Last Updated on September 23, 2020 by Ellen Christian

Have you been wondering how to choose the safest child car seat? As parents, we want to do everything we possible can to keep our children safe and healthy. We install child safety locks, read the ingredients list on their snacks and shampoos, and have discussions about stranger danger. But, how safe is the car seat they’re using and is it installed properly? I’m sharing this information with you today because it’s important to me. This post contains affiliate links, and I will receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

How to Choose the Safest Child Car Seat

Car crashes involve children under the age of 13 every 33 seconds in the United States. Car seats, if used correctly, can dramatically reduce the risk of death or injury. But over half of car seats are either installed or used incorrectly, and 1 in 3 children killed in car crashes are completely unrestrained at the time of the crash.

As parents, we all want to do the right thing to keep our children safe and sound. That’s why it’s helpful to stay up to date with car seat safety information, like the tips found in the fun new video series “The Wide World of Car Seats,” from the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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The right car seat can make all the difference in a motor vehicle crash. And car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old. But despite their best intentions, many parents may not realize their child isn’t in the right seat. For example, many parents move their children to the next restraint type (car seat, booster seat, seat belt) too soon.

A few tips from me

When we brought the kids home from the hospital, we had to have a car seat and it was inspected by someone from the hospital before we were allowed to leave. Not only did they make sure we had a car seat, they made sure that it was the right kind and that it was installed properly. And, our police department regularly offers car seat safety checkpoints that people can visit as well. Your child may not want to sit in a car seat as they get older, but depending on their age and weight, it may be the safest option.

Next, make sure you have the safest child car seat and visit SaferCar.gov/TheRightSeat.

*According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).