What is the recommended safety practice for child passengers?

• A. Use age- and size-appropriate child restraints and buckle all occupants
• B. Children may ride in any seat without restraints
• C. Children should ride in the front seat
• D. Only use seat belts for adults

Answer: (A)

Proper child passenger safety starts with using restraints that fit the child’s age and size and making sure every person is buckled. Restraints are chosen by age and size: infants and toddlers use rear-facing car seats, older kids use forward-facing seats with a harness, and as they grow, booster seats help position the regular seat belt correctly until they’re big enough to ride with just the belt. Install and use these seats correctly—harness slots, top tether when required, and a booster until the belt lies across the strongest parts of the body.

Keep children in the rear seat whenever possible, because airbags in the front can cause serious injury to smaller passengers in a crash. When a child reaches the height and weight where a seat belt fits properly, they should use the belt without a booster. Buckling everyone up at all times is the single most effective habit to reduce injury in crashes.