Car Safety Tips
Since most babies will spend time in the car with their parents starting shortly after birth, it’s essential to think through car safety before the baby is born. While laws vary by state, New York requires all children to be in a car seat until the age of four and in a booster type until the age of eight.
New York State’s new law requires:
- Infants—that weigh 22 pounds or less and measure 25 inches or less in length—should be placed in an infant car seat in the car’s back seat with the child facing the rear of the car.
- Toddlers are to remain in rear-facing car seat until they are two years old and meet the car seat manufacturer’s height and weight limits.
- From two to four years old, children should be in a front facing seat as long as possible (until they reach the car seat manufacturer’s highest height and weight limit).
- Children should use a booster seat until they are eight years old, 80 pounds, and 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Seat installation is also important and should be checked by an expert. New York State offers permanent inspection stations for parents to have the safety of their car seat inspected. To find a location, visit https://trafficsafety.ny.gov/child-safety-seat-inspection-stations. There are eight stations in Erie County.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has great resources for finding and comparing car seats (https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats), however, remember that the national guidelines are different than New York State’s height and weight limits.
When considering safety accessories, there are no set laws. The following list provides a brief overview to commonly used accessories.
- Head rests, pillows, and infant support items should be limited to the products sold with the car seat or recommended by the seat’s manufacturer. Essentially, you should not prop up your baby in the car seat with blankets or pillows.
- Mirrors and toys can harm children if an accident occurs, so—if needed—it’s best to choose flexible soft plastic accessories.
- In cold weather, bulky coats and foot/hand muffs should be avoided if it alters your child’s position in the harness. Instead, opt for placing the coat or a blanket over your child and the restraint.
The main takeaway is to choose a highly rated car seat and to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on height, weight, and appropriate accessories.