Car safety is an extremely important issue. Children and adults should always use some form of safety restraint. You should obtain an approved car seat before your baby is born so that you may travel safely home from the hospital. The safest place for infants and children to ride is the center back seat. Never put a car seat in the front seat of a car. Car seats must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions for maximal safety. You can get your car seat checked or installed for free at a certified inspection station. To find the nearest certified car seat inspection station as well as the latest information on car seat safety and recalls go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov or www.seatcheck.org.
Current data show that children younger than 2 years old are 75% safer when rear-facing in a crash compared to forward-facing. Once a baby outgrows his infant seat, you should use a convertible toddler seat that can be positioned rear-facing as well as forward-facing. Children under two years of age should remain rear-facing in a convertible toddler seat until they reach the maximum weight or height limit allowed by the manufacturer of the seat for rear-facing.
As of June 30, 2008, Maryland law requires that any child younger than 8 years old be constrained in an appropriate car seat or booster seat unless he is at least 65 lbs or 4' 9" tall. In general, children should stay in a car seat with a 5-point harness until 4 years of age and 40 lbs and then use a booster seat. When your child outgrows the booster seat, he should remain belted in the back seat until 16 years old. Maryland law also requires that any child younger than 16 years old wear a seatbelt whether he is sitting in the front or back seat.
Your constant use of car restraints will ensure that your children follow the same good habits. Remember, you can get the latest passenger safety information at the NHTSA website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov or www.seatcheck.org.
Important points
* A child younger than 2 years old should remain rear-facing in a convertible toddler seat until he reaches the maximum weight and height limits allowed by the manufacturer for rear-facing
* A child less than 40 pounds should be in a car seat with a 5-point harness
* Children less than 80 pounds or 4'9" height should be restrained in a booster seat
* Children younger than 16 should be belted in the back seat
* Children 13 or older and adults should always wear their seatbelt no matter where they are sitting
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