Child Safety Seat Laws - What You Need To Know

Child safety seat laws vary from state to state. Some want kids to stay in some type of safety seat until they are four, and some say until eight. The majority of states' child safety seat laws fall somewhere in-between. A unified set of federal child safety laws has yet to be established.

Many states also have guidelines for which type of seat can be used for certain sizes and weights of children. There are three types of seats, infant, toddler, and booster. There are also convertible seats that are used as all three. Law makers and manufacturers work together to create the safest child safety seat laws based on statistics of accidents and children's weights and heights. Part of proper installation is knowing which seat is best for your child.

No matter where you live, all states require that any safety seat a child is in has to meet federal motor vehicle safety seat standards. Federal child safety seat laws are also being made to insure that all seats are compatible with every automobile. All automobile makers are required to install metal bars behind car seats to anchor child safety seats. This insures that all seats with the new LATCH system can be installed properly.

Many states have safety classes where parents and guardians can learn the child safety seat laws of their state, and proper installation of their car seats and boosters. You can also find out the child safety seat laws of your state by searching online.

Want to Know More?

	Wondering about LATCH? To learn about it, click here for LATCH information.
	What are your state's laws? Check our Useful Links page for the location of child safety seat law information.
	What You Need To Know About Carseat Recalls.
	Is there a child car seat rating system? Learn about federal NHTSA tests and child safety seat ratings.

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