Next thing you know, a car quickly brakes in front of you as you follow suit. This happens more times than parents like to recall. But statistics continue to show that children in infant carriers and booster seats are injured because of the way the seats are installed. Look in your community for free public events that include child car seat installation checks. Experts should be available to double-check installation and use of the child seat in your car.
Retail stores offer numerous federally approved child car seats.
Parents should research the models available, check the recall lists, talk to other parents, read the seat's instructions and use the seat according to manufacturer guidelines. Take note of any suggestions to tether the child seat to your car seat for additional support. Ask different sources, and you'll receive different answers. In Texas, seat belt laws only address children to age 4. National organizations, though, encourage child safety seat use until the child weighs 80 pounds or can sit in the passenger seat with the child's knees bent at the seat's edge and the seat belt shoulder strap naturally angled across the child's chest.