Child Passenger Safety

Collage of the four car seat stages: Rear-facing, forward-facing, booster, and seat belt

Buckle Up Every Age, Every Seat, Every Trip

Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the United States, but many of these deaths can be prevented. Parents and caregivers can reduce the risk of serious injuries and deaths by up to 80% by making sure children are properly buckled in the correct car seat or booster seat.

Guidelines for Parents and Caregivers

Chart showing the four stages of correct child safety seats and boosters for children of different ages

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Additional Resources

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Child Safety Information for Parents and Caregivers
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Links:
- AAP website for parents (Healthychildren.org): Car Seats: Information for Families
- AAP Child Passenger Safety Policy Statement
- AAP Child Passenger Safety Technical Report
Find a child passenger safety technician
Find a car seat inspection station

Child Passenger Safety: Get the Facts
Resources – New Graphics
What Works: Strategies to Increase Car Seat and Booster Seat Use
Booster Seat Planning Guide
Buckle Up: Restraint Use State Fact Sheets
CDC Child Passenger Safety Graphics: How to Avoid the Most Common Mistakes
Publications