Many young children are seriously injured or killed in motor vehicle crashes. Using a car seat reduces the risk of death in passenger vehicles by 71 percent for infants younger than age 1 and by 54 percent for toddlers ages 1 to 4. Early education staff can use these flip charts to help families learn how to keep their child safe in a motor vehicle.
When children are driven in a motor vehicle other than a bus, all children should be transported only if they are restrained in a developmentally appropriate car safety seat, booster seat, seat belt, or harness that is suited to the child's weight and age in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations. The child should be securely fastened, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website provides a quick reference for the proper use of child car seats and booster seats. Head Start program directors, health managers, and parents can determine the type of car or booster seat a child requires based on the child’s height, weight, and age. Posters and other promotional materials to encourage the use of appropriate child safety seats also are offered.