Where can I find reliable information about car seats?

Car seats are confusing.  There are so many options on the market, and car seat laws and recommendations are frequently changing.  It’s tough to keep up.  Just like so many things in this world, there is a lot of misinformation on the internet.  So where can you go to find the best information?  Here are a few places you can start…

1. Find a child passenger safety technician (CPST) in your area.  CPSTs are trained to help people in the community with car seat selection, fit, and installation.  To find one, you can call your local police department or fire station.  Many police and fire departments have CPSTs.  You can also call your local children’s hospital.  Many children’s hospitals also have injury prevention programs that include car seat safety programs.

2. The Safe Kids Worldwide website, https://www.safekids.org/, has a wealth of knowledge about car seat guidelines and laws.  

3. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration website, https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats, also has a wealth of knowledge about car seat guidelines and laws.  On the nhtsa.gov website, you can also find helpful information on other car safety-related topics such as how to prevent heat stroke and seat belt entanglement.

4. Your state government website.  You’ll find more information on car seat laws there. 

5. Contact Jenna Raheb.  Jenna is a CPST and happy to answer your questions. You can reach her at jraheb@rahebpt.com.

When it comes to car seat safety, here are a few tips to remember…

• Car seats expire. Make sure you check the expiration date of your child’s car seat.  If your child’s car seat is expired, you need a new one.

• Beware of counterfeit car seats.  Look here to learn more about counterfeit car seat red flags… https://www.saferidenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CR-Red-Flags.pdf

• Don’t use any car seat accessories that did not come with the car seat.

• Make sure your child’s height and weight match the height and weight requirement of the car seat your child is using.  You can find this information on stickers located on your child’s car seat.

• Look at the car seat owner’s manual.  You will find a lot of helpful information there that is specific to your child’s car seat.

-Jenna Raheb, PT, DPT, PCS, CPST

Photo Credit: https://www.gracobaby.com/

Last updated February 16, 2022

Raheb Physical Therapy