Child Seats

No car seat is superior to all others. When choosing a seat, be sure that

• it fits the child:
• it fits firmly in the vehicle and is compatible with the vehicle's safety belt system; and
• the seat is convenient to use on every trip.

Buy only child safety seats with a certification label that shows they meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213.

Ask your local hospital, health department, police department, or social service agency about a discount, loaner, or giveaway program for child safety seats.

Send in the registration card that comes with your new seat. This ensures that you will receive notification of a recall. If your car seat does not have a registration card, call the U.S. Department of Transportation's Auto Safety Hotline (1-800-424-9393) to register your car seat.

Never purchase a child seat that:

• was involved in a crash
• has no labels
• is older than 6 years
• has cracks or rust
• is missing parts
• has been recalled

If you choose a convertible child safety seat, use a model equipped with a five-point harness system. Avoid models with a t-shield or tray shield, especially for newborns. In an impact, the baby's body could hit the hard plastic shield, causing head, abdominal and chest injures.
U.S. Department of Transportation's Auto Safety Hotline
1-800-424-9393 Recalls/Issue Safety Notices

Center for Injury and Violence Prevention (Virginia Dept. of Health)
1-800-732-8333 Child Safety Seats/Reference Material, Handouts

< Back