Safe Kids Clark County News Articles
Written on Monday, March 21st, 2011
AAP and NHTSA Update Rear-Facing Policy
The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its policy on rear-facing children in carseats to age 2 and to the weight and height limits of a convertible carseat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has followed suit and accordingly adjusted its guidelines, recommending rear-facing to age 2 and to the rear-facing limits of a convertible carseat.
What does this mean for you? Once your child outgrows an infant seat by weight or height (head is within one inch [1"] of the top of the carseat), switch your child to a rear-facing convertible seat. A convertible seat is one that can be used both rear-facing and forward-facing in the car. Use it rear-facing until your child reaches either the rear-facing weight limit or until your child's head reaches 1" from the top of the carseat.
A rear-facing carseat protects the back, neck, and head in a frontal and side crash. A frontal crash is the most common type of crash while a side impact causes the most serious injuries.