Did you know that 52% of our little Texans who died in vehicle crashes last year were not buckled into a safety seat, and that 3 out of 4 children are not buckled in correctly? Or that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14? — It's time we did something about it.
Texas is doing its part by requiring every passenger in a vehicle to wear a safety belt. If a rider isn't buckled in, they'll receive a citation. What's more, if a child passenger younger than 8 years old (unless taller than 4 feet, 9 inches) is not buckled up or is buckled in wrong, the driver will be ticketed.
How can you help improve the odds for your child? Easy. Read and follow the directions below:
Which seat is right for your child?
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
REAR-FACING SEATS
Birth — at least 1 year, up to 35 pounds
For the best protection, keep infants in the back seat, in rear-facing child safety seats, as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the particular safety seat. At a minimum, keep infants rear-facing until age 1 and at least 20 pounds.
FORWARD-FACING SEATS
1 – 4 years, 20 to 40 pounds or more
When children outgrow their rear-facing seats (at a minimum of age 1 and at least 20 pounds), they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds).
BOOSTER SEATS
About 4 – 8 years, up to 4'9" tall
Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle safety belt fits properly. Safety belts fit properly when the lap belt fits low and snugly over the hips/upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest and shoulder (usually at age 8 or when a child is 4'9" tall).
SAFETY BELTS
8+ years old, over 4'9" tall
When children outgrow their booster seats, (usually at age 8 or when they are 4'9" tall) they can use the adult safety belt in the back seat if it fits properly (lap belt fits low and snugly over the hips/upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest and shoulder).
Download a PDF guide on choosing and using the best safety seat for your child.
