According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for children age 3 to 6 and 8 to 14. According to the U.S. government data, in 2007, 6,532 children ages 14 and younger were involved in fatal accidents of passenger vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges all who are responsible for the care of children to ensure that the car seats and booster seats used for their children are installed correctly. Also, children in what is called the “tween” years, from age 8 and up, must be using the adult seat belts properly.

Using some simple steps, parents and caregivers of children from birth to 14 can do much to prevent injuries and deaths in children.

Infants or children from birth to 1 year and a minimum of 20 pounds must be in rear-facing safety seats. Each manufacturer has specific instructions that should be followed as well.

Toddlers or children from the age of 1 year with a weight of at least 20 pounds to children the age of 4 years and weighing at least 40 pounds should be seated in forward-facing child safety seats in the back seat of the vehicle. They should remain riding in these forward-facing seats in the back seat of the vehicle until they reach the recommended upper weight and height limit of the manufacturer of that particular child safety seat. This is usually around the age of 4 and weight of 40 pounds.

Children from age 4 and at least 40 pounds have outgrown the forward-facing seats and until at least age 8 must ride in booster seats in the back seat of the vehicle until the adult vehicle seat belt fits correctly.

Children from the age of about 8 to about 14, often referred to as “tweens” in child safety literature, should always use the adult seat belt in the back seat of the vehicle as long as it fits well. A properly fitting lap belt will lay across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt will fit across the chest.