The number one killer and crippler of children in the United States is automobile crashes. According to the University of Michigan health system over 600 children under age five are killed in car accidents in any given year in this country. A very frightening statistic! Long gone are the days when parents held children on their laps as they travel in a car, moving around from seat to seat or worse yet, children sitting in back window ledges. Infants and toddlers must now be protected by a federally approved car seat for a range of ages. Though car seat laws vary from state to state, it is required in EVERY state for infants to ride in a safe car seat. The hospital where your little one is born will make sure your baby is "strapped in" before you take him home to begin a new life.

Each state has its own individual child restraint laws. The least restricive may be Florida which requires children only up to age three be restrained, and the most strict may be Wyoming which requires seats to age eight. If you would like to research your state's laws visit this website, which not only details the restraints that are lawful , but the fines for not doing so. This website was updated in June (2007).

http://www.iihs.org/laws/state _laws/restrain2.html

Even with the varying opinions of each state, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has some advice for the parents of infants through different ages and stages of development:

* A rear facing car seat should be used for baby in the backseat of a car until the baby is one year old and 20 pounds.
* At 20 pounds, children can ride in front facing child seats with proper restraints until age 4 or about 40 pounds.
* Booster seats come next, appropriate from about age 4 to 8. A child should be at least 40 pounds. Follow all restraint instructions.
*Around age 8, children can ride in the backseat with a lap and shoulder belt firmly in place.

If you are not sure if your car seat is safe, you can have it inspected! To find an inspection site near you in the U.S. you can visit:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/peopl e/injury/childps/CPSFittingSta tions/CPSinspection.htm

In all, the safest car seat is one that you use properly and regularly! After determining the laws in your state, and making sure your seat is secure, use it! The safety of your child is worth every second of time spent on this important matter! Happy Trails!

Learn more about this author, Elise Warren.
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