The right car seat or booster seat can make all the difference for a child in a crash. This Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 20-26, NHTSA reminds parents and caregivers to check that their children are in the right seat for their age and size.

"Every parent wants to keep their child safe but may not know how to find the right car seat for their child's age or size. The right car seat, properly installed, is the best tool we have to protect a child in a crash, and we want to help parents make sure every child is safe," NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said. "NHTSA is taking the guesswork out of car seat shopping by providing quick and simple tools and information for parents and caregivers."

In 2024, an estimated 160,850 children ages 14 and younger were injured in traffic crashes, and another 677 lost their lives, making traffic crashes a consistent leading cause of death for children.

Correctly installed car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in passenger car crashes by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Unfortunately, about half of all car seats are incorrectly installed, even when many parents and caregivers think they have installed them correctly.

Sept. 26 is National Seat Check Saturday, and communities across the country will host free events with certified child passenger safety technicians offering hands-on installation help and inspections. Many local fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and children's hospitals also provide inspections by appointment year-round.

NHTSA offers tips to help parents and caregivers keep their children safe on the road:

• Learn about the four main car seat types, find the right seat based on the child's age and size, and evaluate ease-of-use ratings on NHTSA's car seat safety page.
• Read both the car seat manual and vehicle owner's guide before installation, follow the instructions carefully, and visit the nearest car seat inspection station to confirm the seat is installed securely.
• Keep children in their current car seat or booster until they have outgrown their current seat. Check The Right Seat for NHTSA's recommendations for their age and size.
• Many children ages 8 to 12 still need a booster seat, and the back seat is the safest place for all children under 13.
• Register car seats and booster seats with the manufacturer to be notified of new safety recalls.
• Make sure children are always in the appropriate seat when traveling or in taxis or in ride-shares.
• Set a good example by wearing your seat belt on every trip.
• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, not even for a minute, and immediately call 911 if a child is seen alone inside a vehicle.
• Report a safety problem to NHTSA if a car seat is suspected of having a defect or not meeting federal regulations.

For more information, visit NHTSA's child safety page. NHTSA's TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov website offers car seat graphics, installation b-roll, and public service advertisements.