When Emily brought her newborn daughter home from the hospital, she remembered feeling both excited and terrified. “I must have checked the car seat straps ten times before pulling out of the parking lot,” she recalls.

Emily’s experience is one that many new parents share. Choosing, installing, and using a car seat can feel overwhelming, but it’s one of the most important steps families can take to protect their children. Car accidents remain the leading cause of death for young children in the United States, and the right safety measures can make all the difference.

Diane Levy, Shelter’s Healthy Families Program Supervisor, often provides guidance to young clients. “Matching the seat to your child’s age, weight, and height is the most important step in keeping them safe,” she says, and shares the following guidelines provided by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration:

• Infants and toddlers under age 2 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat
• Children under age 8 who weigh less than 40 pounds must be in an approved child safety seat
• Children who have outgrown a forward-facing seat should move to a booster seat in the rear seat, secured with a seat belt

Illinois law requires that children under age 8 be properly secured in a child safety seat, and that parents or guardians provide one whenever their child is transported.

 “Even the best car seat won’t work if it isn’t secured properly,” Diane advises. She encourages parents to seek out certified car seat technicians to get help with installation.

The rear seat is the safest place for children of any age to ride, and each child and each safety seat must have a separate seat belt. Truck beds and cargo areas are never safe for children.

Finally, Diane warns to never leave children alone in a vehicle. “Even a quick trip inside a store can put children in danger, especially in hot weather,” she says. Cars heat up rapidly, even with the windows cracked, and children are especially vulnerable to heatstroke and dehydration.

There are no short cuts to safety, and every ride matters. Taking time to choose, install, and check your child’s car seat could save their life.

Learn more about Shelter’s Healthy Families Program and how it provides one-on-one support for new parents.