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Choosing and Using a Car Seat
Pennsylvania’s Child Passenger Safety Law requires that all children under age 4 must be
properly restrained and transported in a federally approved car seat that is appropriate
for the child’s age, height and weight. Children ages 4-8 must use a booster seat if they are
no longer in a car seat. Children ages 8-18 must use a vehicle seatbelt.
In addition to compliance with the law, the use of a car seat also has the following benefits:
• Prevents your infant’s body from acting as a missile in the event of an accident.
• Reduces the incidence of death or injury by spreading the impact along the strongest part of the
infant’s body.
• Reduces discipline problems of toddlers in the car, since they are used to sitting securely
fastened in their seat.
When installed and used properly, a safety seat can reduce a child’s chances of being killed or
injured in a crash by 71%.
In March/April 2011, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revised their child restraint guidelines in order to
keep pace with the latest scientific and medical research and the development of new child
restraint technologies. They are now advising parents and caregivers to keep children in
each restraint type, including rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seats, for as long as
possible before moving them up to the next type of seat.
Types of car seats
Rear Facing Seats
• Keeping your child rear-facing as long as possible is the best way to keep him or her safe.
• In a policy published in the April 2011 issue of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) advises parents to keep their children in rear-facing car seats from birth until the age
of 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight allowed by their car seat’s manufacturer.
• In the event of a collision, the impact is spread along the back. A rear-facing child safety seat
does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash,
because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body.
• Newborns must be reclined at a 45 degree angle to prevent their head from dropping forward and
blocking their airway. As the neck becomes stronger, the car seat may be more upright.
• Many rear facing car seats can also be used as infant carriers.
• Harness straps should come out at or below the shoulder level.
Convertible Seat
• Designed by the manufacturer to be both a rear-facing seat and a forward-facing seat.
• Not used as an infant carrier, due to larger size.
• There are usually two different belt paths for the car seat belts, depending on whether the seat is
facing forward or backward.
• When the seat is facing forward, it is essential to move the harness straps to the upper shoulder
slots, so they come out at or above your child’s shoulder level.
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