It is best to keep kids in the forward facing car seat for as long as they fit comfortably in it. Older kids over 40 pounds should ride in a booster seat until the car's lap and shoulder belts fit right. The lap belt must fit low and snug on their hips. The shoulder belt must not cross their face or neck. Never put the shoulder belt behind their back or under their arm.
All kids are safest in the back seat, in a safety seat or seat belt.
Always read the child seat instructions and the car owner's manual. Test the child seat to ensure a snug fit by pulling the base to either side or toward the front of the car. Potential Dangers of Air Bags to Children Air bags are standard equipment in almost all new cars and are designed to supplement the protection provided by safety belts in frontal crashes. While air bags have a good overall safety record and have saved an estimated 1200 lives as of the end of 1995, they pose several risks for children. During a forward impact, the rapidly inflating air bag could strike the safety seat with enough force to seriously injure or kill the infant.