September 12 - 18, 2009
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) would like to take this opportunity to remind pediatricians and parents of the AAP recommendations for safe transportation of children.
Infants should ride in rear-facing car safety seats to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat's manufacturer. At a minimum, children should ride rear-facing until they have reached at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds. When children reach the highest weight of length allowed by the manufacturer of their infant seat, they should continue to ride rear-facing in a convertable sear. Never place a rear-facing car safety seat in front of an air bag.
Children who have outgrown their rear-facing seats should ride in forward-facing car safety seats for as long as they fit well (ears below the top of the back of the seat and shoulders below the top harness slots or until they reach the top weight or height allowed for their seats).
Children who have outgrown their car safety seats but are too small to wear seat belts properly should ride in booster seats. For more information about safe transportation of children who have outgrown their car safety seats, please see the AAP/Partners for Child Passenger Safety Issue Report on Booster Seats .
Seat belts fit properly when they can be worn with the lap portion of the belt low and snug across the thighs, and the shoulder portion across the chest and shoulder without cutting across the face and neck while sitting against the vehicle seat back with feet comfortably hanging down.
Remember that all children age 12 years and younger are safest in the back seat.
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