CDC

Child Passenger Safety

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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. Buckling children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts reduces serious and fatal injuries by more than half.

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  • Rear-Facing Car Seat. Birth up to age 2. Buckle children in a rear-facing seat until age 2 or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of that seat.
  • Forward-Facing Car Seat. Age 2 up to at least age 5. When children outgrow their rear-facing seat, they should be buckled in a forward-facing car seat until at least age 5 or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of that seat.
  • Booster Seat. Age 5 up until seat belts fit properly. Once children outgrow their forward-facing seat, they should be buckled in a booster seat until the seat belts fit properly. The recommended height for proper seat belt fit is 57 inches tall.
  • Seat Belt. Once seat belts fit properly without a booster seat. Children no longer need to use a booster seat once seat belts fit them properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck).

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    CDC Vital Signs: Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths. In 2013, the US crash death rate was more than twice the average of other high-income countries. www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/motor-vehicle-safety

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