By Iowa law, children who are younger than 1 year old and who weigh less than 20 pounds should ride facing the rear in an infant-only or rear-facing convertible car seat. The infant-only seat usually is for use by children who weigh 5 to 22 pounds, with an upper length limit of 26 inches. The shoulder harness straps should be snug and at or below the infant’s shoulders.

Outgrowing an infant seat is not a reason to switch to a forward-facing car seat. Most infants outgrow their infant seat before 1 year of age and will need to switch to a rear-facing convertible car seat. It is safest to remain rear-facing for as long as possible. Current studies demonstrate significant reduction in morbidity and mortality in all types of crashes for children through 2 years of age when properly restrained in a rear-facing car seat.

By Iowa law children 6 to 11 years old must be restrained in a child restraint system (car seat or booster seat) or by a seat belt. There are two types of booster seats: high back and low back, or backless. If the vehicle seat has a headrest that comes above the child’s ears then either type may be used. If there is no support for the child’s head then a high back booster should be used. A booster seat must be used with a lap/shoulder seat belt, not a lap-only belt. It is safest for a child to remain in a booster seat until the adult seat belt fits well. A good fit is when the child’s knees bend at the edge of the seat when the child is sitting without slouching, with buttocks and back against the vehicle seat. The shoulder belt fits across the shoulder and lap belt fits across the pelvic bones. For most children, this is when they are approximately 8 years old, 4’9”, and 80 pounds.

It is also safest for children to remain in the back seat until they are the size of an adult, or approximately 13 years old. The passenger’s side air bag inflates at approximately 200 mph during a crash and could create a high impact head injury and/or high cervical spine injury. Even if the air bag can be “turned off,” an electrical connection exists that may be breached in a motor vehicle crash, causing the air bag to inflate. Parents should have the child restraint systems checked by a Certified Car Seat Technician. Nine out of ten car seats are used improperly, regardless of parents’ education or economic background. Errors can put children at risk in a crash.

Car seats that have been involved in a crash should be replaced, as should any seat belts that restrained car seats or passengers. Damage might not be visible but could compromise safety. Families with auto insurance can contact their provider about reimbursement to replace car seats and seat belts involved in a crash.

Current car seats typically have an expiration date that is approximately six years after the date of manufacture. Old seats should be destroyed. Car seats should not be bought from consignment stores or at garage sales. The seat’s history is unclear: a previous crash could have caused unseen damage. In addition, manuals or labels often are not included with these seats, increasing the chance of dangerous misuse. Parents also should be good role models and wear their own seat belts.  

Further information about child passenger safety can be found on the internet at www.nhtsa.gov. Information about childhood safety and where to locate a car seat technician in your area is available at Safe Kids Coalition. Blank Children’s Hospital offers information about child passenger safety in the state of Iowa, including laws, advocacy, technicians, and the Safe Kids Coalition for Iowa.