Car Seat Safety

Using a car seat is the best way to keep your children safe while driving in a car. It is the law to use a car seat in every U.S. state while driving in any car, even in a friend’s car or an uber.

IRC will give your family car seats upon your arrival and this seat may be able to be converted to use for multiple ages and stages. We partner with an organization called WeeCycle and we sometimes request car seats if you do need a different seat in the future as your children grow.

How to Use a Car Seat

There are different types of car seats that depend on your child’s weight, size, and age. The car seat will have a tag that says how long a child can use it safely and once the child has outgrown the seat, they must change car seat types. Please ask an IRC staff member to go over your car seat model when you first receive it. You can learn more by exploring these resources.

• To find the right fit for your child

• For information about when to change car seat

• Rear-Facing Infant Only Car Seats: They are from birth to 22-35lbs. They should also be installed to face the back of the car.

• Read-Facing Convertible for Infants & Toddlers: Please read the height and weight limit to know how long a toddler can stay in this type of car seat. Children under 1 year of age must always face the back of the car no matter how much they weigh.

• Toddlers & Pre-Schoolers: Children who don’t fit in the rear-facing car seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer. Many seats can accommodate children up to 65 pounds or more.

• School-Aged Children: Booster Seats are used by school aged children. All children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their car safety seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years of age. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat.

• Seat Belt: When children are 4’9” (145cm) tall they can use the vehicle seat belt. They should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for the best protection. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat.

Each car seat is installed into the car a little differently. You can get help by visiting a child car seat inspection station, set up by the federal government. You can also get help from many local health departments, public safety groups, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and fire departments. Be sure to ask for a certified child passenger safety technician.