If you adopt a child who is under 8 years old, then you will need to purchase a car safety seat. Smaller children over the age of 8 might need a safety seat as well. Here are the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Rear-facing Car Seats

Babies must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 20 lbs. and at least 1 year old. Even if your baby reaches 20 lbs. before age one, keep him in a rear-facing seat. Babies who have not reached their first birthday do not have the head support to safely withstand the impact of a collision in a forward-facing seat. Riding backward is safer, even for adults, so many car safety seat experts suggest keeping babies in a rear-facing seat as long as the child still safely fits.

Forward-facing Car Seats

Once your child is over 20 lbs. and over 1 year old, he can ride in a forward facing seat. A car seat with a five-point harness (attaches in five places: 2 at the shoulders, 2 at the hips, and 1 at the crotch) and tether strap is safest. Also, if you drive a car that is LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) compatible, be sure to use that method for installing your car seat because it is safer. Look for a seat that is easily adjustable.

Booster Seats

When your child outgrows his forward-facing car seat (generally when he reaches 40 lbs. and is around 4 years old), you will need to purchase a booster seat. A booster seat’s function is to position the seatbelt correctly across your child’s chest. Your child needs to stay in a booster seat until an adult seatbelt fits him correctly.

In North Carolina, it is the law that a child stay in a booster seat until he reaches age 8 or 80 lbs. Other states may have similar laws. The American Academy of Pediatrics website says the following:

If the seat belt does not fit your child correctly, he should stay in a booster seat until the adult seat belts fit him correctly. This is usually when the child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 and 12 years of age.

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Installation

If a car safety seat is not installed correctly, then your child is at a higher risk of being injured in a car accident. Many health departments and fire departments provide free car seat installation training. Many police departments hold free car seat safety clinics.

Take advantage of these resources and learn how to install your child’s safety seat correctly. This can literally mean the difference between life and death for your child.

Used Car Seats

Use caution when purchasing a used car seat. If you can afford it, it is best to purchase a car seat new for two reasons:

1. You know with certainty that the seat has never been involved in an accident.


2. You can register to receive recall information.

If a car seat has been in an accident, throw it away. (See the American Academy of Pediatrics website for guidelines on when to throw the seat away after an accident. When it doubt, throw it out.) Also, don’t use a car seat that is more than 5 years old because it becomes less safe. Five years of extreme heat and cold in a car can weaken the plastic in the seat, making it less safe.