The emphasis continues to be keeping our children safe on the road. That means putting them in the proper restraint for their age, size, and weight. "Securing your child in a correctly installed child safety seat is one of the most important things you can do to protect your child's life everyday," according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Since parents are often confused about the difference between child restraint laws (which differ in many states) and the recommendations of national experts regarding child safety seats, safety advocates at Buckle Up America want to ensure that parents and caregivers are aware of the national 4 Steps for Kids Guidelines:

Step 1: Babies from birth to one year AND 20 pounds ride in rear-facing child seats. Step 2: Toddlers from one year to age four (& 40 lbs.) ride in forward-facing child seats. Step 3: Children ages four (& 40 lbs) - eight (or 4'9" tall) should ride in booster seats. Step 4: Children over age eight (or 4’9" tall) may use vehicle's seat belt.         ALL children 12 and under should ride in the back seat of a vehicle.

It may be surprising to know that a recent survey (2001) conducted by AAA found that in Florida over 96 percent of all car seats checked were improperly installed. Although statistically most infants and toddlers under the age of four ride in the correct child safety seat, less than ten percent of the children (ages five to eight) who should be in booster seats use one. "Booster seats are as important as any of the other steps for protecting your child's life while riding in the car," according to NHTSA, which also recommends that "children who have outgrown child safety seats be properly restrained in booster seats until they are at least eight years old, unless they are 4'9" tall." Since vehicle seat belts are designed for adults, not children, booster seats are important because they "boost" children up so that seat belts can fit them correctly.