CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY
Motor vehicles are such an essential part of our daily lives, especially if you have children. It's easy to forget how dangerous they can be. You can significantly reduce the likelihood of your children being injured in a crash by properly securing them in child safety seats that are appropriate for their age and size.
Law Alert
Effective July 1, 2007: Child restraint devices are required for children through the age of seven (until 8th birthday). Learn more.
Four Steps for Kids
1. Infant. Infants should ride in a rear-facing safety seat until at least 1 year old AND at least 20 pounds. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using the rear-facing child safety seat longer if the seat has higher weight and height limits specified by the manufacturer, which can be as high as 40-45 pounds for newer seats. Never put an infant in the front of a vehicle with an active passenger airbag.
2. Toddler. When children outgrow their rear-facing safety seats they would ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of that particular safety seat. It is best to use a 5 point harness as long as the safety seat will allow before graduating to a belt positioning booster.
3. Booster Seat. Once children outgrow their forward safety seats, they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belt fits them properly (never before age 8). Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually when they are 4'9" tall).
4. Seat Belt. When children outgrow their booster seats and they are 4'9" tall, they can use the adult seat belts in the back seat, if they fit properly; lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest. Virginia Law requires that all children age 7 years and younger to be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat regardless of the child's weight or height.