Car Seat Safety

Car Seat Guidelines for Babies, Children & Adolescents

Guidelines for car seat use change based on your child’s age, weight, and height. Different manufacturers have different weight restrictions for a given car seat; this may factor into your decision about which car seat to select. Be sure to know at what weight the car seat you own is no longer safe for you child.

• Birth to 2 years old: Rear-facing car seat in back seat.
• 2-4 years old: Front-facing car seat in back seat.
• 4-7 years old: Booster seat in back seat (high back then backless).
• 8-12 years old: Back seat only. May be out of booster seat if safety belt properly crosses the shoulder. Generally need to be about 4’9″ to be out of a booster seat. Should be in back seat due to primarily to height because of potential injury from deployed airbags.
• 13-17 years old: May sit in front or back seat but must be restrained properly with a safety belt.

The following websites may be helpful in determining the safest method for your child.

https://healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx

www.SafeKids.org/Child-Safety-Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I turn my child’s car seat around? No sooner than their 2nd birthday. Many newer convertible carseat models can accommodate rear-facing alignment beyond 2 years old, however. We recommend following manufacturer recommendations.

My toddler is tall and her legs are scrunched up in a rear-facing car seat. Wouldn’t it be better to turn her around? The need to have children rear facing is based on the strength (or lack thereof) of their necks. The most recent safety studies show that front facing infants and toddlers are at high risk for neck injuries. Because most bad collisions are rear-enders, having your toddler facing the rear of the car will provide extra support behind the neck. Again this is based on age not weight or height. Children’s legs are much more flexible than the neck and less likely to sustain injuries in the event of a rear-end collision.

Virginia’s Child Restraint Device Laws

• Child restraint devices are required until the 8th birthday (no height or weight requirement with this law).
• Rear-facing carseats must be in the backseat of the vehicle. If in a truck or other vehicle without a back seat, car seats may be in the front seat if there is no passenger seat airbag, or if that airbag has been deactivated.
• 8-17 year old children/adolescents must be belted correctly.
• Violations are a primary offense (do not need to be pulled over for any other reason). First offense is $50, subsequent offenses could be up to $500.
• Violations can be incurred by anyone transporting a child in a vehicle manufactured in 1968 or later – parents, grandparents, babysitters, etc. The only exemptions are for taxicabs, school buses, executive sedans and limousines, though it is still recommended children be properly restrained in these vehicles too!

Virginia’s Child Passenger Safety Laws

Where to Get Help with Car Seat Installation

There are locations (mostly fire and/or police stations) that will help install your car seat or ensure that your installation is correct. To find a location near you, click on the link below.

Car Seat Installation Locations (scroll to bottom of page linked)

NOTE: You need to have your car seat properly installed prior to taking your newborn home from the hospital. Hospital staff are not trained in properly installing car seats, and will not help you with this. Please plan ahead and, at a minimum, have the car seat base installed once you reach 36 weeks.

***Updated 5/6/2020