Keeping our kids safe is one of the most important things we can do! With a new school year starting and an increase in extra-curricular activities our kids will be riding in cars more frequently.

Question: So how do we keep our kids as safe as possible in our own cars?

Answer: By making sure they are properly restrained and using a child safety seat as intended!

8 helpful car seat safety tips:

• Check the sticker on the back of any child safety seat...is it expired?
• Do you know the history of the seat? If you don't, you should replace it.
• Has the seat ever been in a car accident? If so, it needs to be replaced. Minor damage is not always visible. 
• Is your child's car seat installed properly...the car seat manual AND your vehicle manual should be referenced for installation. 
• Children should be rear facing until they have maxed out the height OR weight of their rear-facing convertible carseat (yes, this means that some 3 & 4 year olds should continue to ride rear-facing).
• A rear facing car seat should NEVER be placed in the front seat of a vehicle.
• When securing your child in a 5-point harness the top straps should be tight enough so as to not allow you to pinch the strap material together.
• The safest car seat for your child is the car seat that you can consistently install properly...all car seats in the US are regulated for safety standards, as long as the seat has been installed properly.

IMPORTANT UPDATE (State of Maryland)

"Transportation Article 22-412.2 (Child Restraints)

• Maryland’s Child Passenger Safety Law (effective October 1, 2022) requires that children under eight years old ride in an appropriate child safety seat,* unless the child is 4’9” or taller, according to the vehicle and child restraint instructions.   
• Every child must ride rear-facing in an appropriate car seat until at least age two.

*Child safety seat includes: harnessed car seats and belt positioning booster seats and other federally approved safety devices. "

Information pertaining to Transportation Article 22-412.2 (Child Restraints) taken from Maryland KISS (Kids in Safety Seats) website: https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OEHFP/KISS/Pages/mdlaw.aspx.

Please keep in mind, this does NOT mean your child should be turned to forward facing on their second birthday. Best practice continues to be extended rear facing until your child reaches the maximum height OR weight as determined by your seat manufacturer. Rear facing helps to protect your child from catastrophic injury during a collision due to their vertebrae not being fully ossified until 4-5 years old.

If you have specific questions about how your child's seat is installed, our Frederick PTA Meghan Tullos, who is a certified child passenger safety technician, can help! Call to set up an appointment with Meghan (available in Frederick and Hagerstown) at 301-739-5437!

Updated 09/21/2022