And one of the main reasons children are injured or die in these crashes is because they are not properly restrained by seat belts, booster seats, or child safety seats. Children who are not restrained are far more likely to suffer severe injuries or even death in motor vehicle crashes. Of parents who do restrain their children with safety seats, many unknowingly fail to use them correctly. Some seat belts need a different buckle or a special locking clip to safely secure a child car seat. Some child car seats cannot be used safely in certain seating positions.
Air bags can cause serious injury or death to infants in rear-facing child car seats.
Infants must always ride in the rear seat, facing the rear of the vehicle. Infants and very young children should be in child safety seats. Young children should be correctly buckled using a booster seat. Unbelted or improperly belted occupants can be hurt or killed by the deploying air bag. Read the vehicle owner's manual.