Car Seat Safety

Keep your child safe on every car ride. Learn about car seat safety and resources for safe car seat installation.

Page Sections

Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death in children under 14. Many of these deaths are preventable. Car seat use reduces the risk for injury in a crash by 71–82% for children, when compared with seat belt use alone.

As one of the US cities with the highest collision rates it is vital that children have properly fitted car seats. The best way to ensure that your child is safe inside a car is to follow the manufacturer's installation instructions, watch the Safe Kids car seat videos, and create an appointment with one of our partners who offer free car seat checks.

1010 Massachusetts Ave

2nd Floor

BOSTON, MA 02118
617-534-2529
injuryprevention@bphc.org

Child Passenger Safety Recommendations

Choose the right seat based on your child's age, weight, height, and development. Check the car seat manufacturer instructions for the age, height, and weight limits of each seat.
Most convertible car seats have height and weight limits that allow children to ride rear-facing longer.
Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat until they're 3 and in the back seat until they turn 13.
Dress your child in nothing thicker than a sweatshirt in their car seat. After buckling, place a coat or blanket over them if needed.

Only move your child to the next car seat type when they outgrow the weight or height limit.
Never add accessories to your child's car seat that did not come with it.
Seat belts should lie flat across the upper thighs, and snuggly across the chest and shoulder.
Never leave your child in the car alone, even for a short period of time.
Lead by example and always wear your seat belt.

MASSACHUSETTS STate Requirements

Children must be properly secured in a federally approved child passenger restraint until 8 years old OR over 57 inches tall.
Any person age 13 or older is required to wear a seat belt.
A police officer can stop your vehicle if a child age 12 or under is not properly restrained.
Children under the age of 13 must stay in the back seat of a moving vehicle.

Learn more

Recommendations for keeping kids safe in car seats. Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible and in the back seat until they turn 13. Only move your child to the next car seat when they outgrow the weight or height limit. Never add accessories to your child's car seat that did not come with it. Seat belts should lie flat across the upper thighs, and snuggly across the chest and shoulder. Dress your child in nothing thicker than a sweatshirt and add blankets over top

Car Seat Inspections and Installations

To schedule a car seat installation, reach out to our partners:

Boston Children's Hospital's Child Passenger Safety Program offers car seat installation by certified safety technicians. The program also provides car seats and booster seats for income-eligible families that receive care at their facilities. To learn for about receiving a car seat or request an installation call (617) 355-7332.
Boston EMS can help make sure you have the right child safety seat for your child and that it is properly installed. Call us 617-343-6891 or email communityinitiatives@bostonems.org to make your appointment.
Boston Medical Center’s Child Passenger Safety Program offers car seat installation by certified safety technicians on a limited basis. The program also provides car seats and booster seats for income-eligible families that receive care at their facilities. To learn for about receiving a car seat or request an installation call (617) 414-8007.

Local fittings are limited, but your child's car seat manufacturer is always available to help install a booster or car seat. Many manufacturers provide virtual guidance. If in-need of a car seat, try reaching out to your child's health insurance or healthcare provider to see what programs may be available to you.

Never Leave a child in a vehicle unattended

Seasonal Safety Information

Heatstroke

Heatstroke begins when your internal body temperature reaches 104 degrees. A child left in a car can reach an internal temperature of 104 degrees 3-5 times faster than an adult. The inside temperature of a car can increase by 20 degrees in 20 minutes and can reach a deadly rate within an hour. A cracked window will not slow the heating process enough to prevent heatstroke nor will parking in the shade. To prevent heatstroke or death, always take your child with you when exiting your car, even if it's "just for a second".

Watch video

Hypothermia

Hypothermia begins when your body loses heat faster than your body can create heat to keep you warm. Children lose heat much faster than adults and are at higher risk of hypothermia. Signs of hypothermia include: cold skin, shivering, low energy, drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, exhaustion, and poor coordination.

Turning on the heat can reduce the risk of hypothermia, especially in the winter. Make sure to dress your children in warm clothing and apply anything thicker than a sweatshirt over top of the buckles. Keeps kids, especially young ones inside while warming the car in winter and never leave them alone in the car, even if the heat is on.