According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among young children. Using a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt that is right for a child’s age, height and weight, and developmental needs can protect them from injury.

Car seats save lives. Parents who know how to choose and use a car seat correctly can help children stay safe in a car crash.

Keeping Children Safe in Vehicles: A Guide for Families and Caregivers

Head Start and other early care and education staff can use this flip chart to share information with families about what they can do to keep their child safe in a motor vehicle. Although the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness is not a testing or standard setting organization, the flip chart provides recommendations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and peer-reviewed literature to help families select and use a car seat. For specific recommendations regarding the selection and installation of a car seat for your child and vehicle type, families may consult a certified passenger safety technician (CPST). Download Keeping Children Safe in Vehicles: A Guide for Families and Caregivers.

Last Updated: July 28, 2023