Whats the law concerning car safety seats? Which type of seat is best for my child?
All 50 states have laws regarding buckling up a child, but the laws concerning car safety seats are up to each individual state and can vary. In fact, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, almost half the states fail when it comes to their laws on safety seats. Additionally, in April 2001, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that no state met the recommended standards. This is what NHTSA suggests as far as type of seat goes. (NHTSA now also rates car safety seats on their ease of use. See the NHTSA Web site at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cssrating/) Experts recommend, therefore, that parents go by the tougher recommendations posted by reputable child health and safety organizations. See these organizations for more recommendations and tips: American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; the National SAFE KIDS Campaign; or SafetyBeltSafe USA.
