Health Tip: Choosing a Child Safety Seat

Sept. 29 -- (HealthDay News) -- A child safety seat could save your youngster's life in the event of a serious automobile accident.

The Nemours Foundation offers this list of safety features to look for in a child safety seat:

• The product should be labeled as meeting or exceeding Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
• If you can, invest in a new child safety seat rather than accepting a hand-me-down or buying a used one.
• Never use a child safety seat that was made more than 10 years ago or one that was in a car accident.
• Make sure that any infant younger than a year old and weighing less than 20 pounds is in an infant safety seat facing backward. Toddlers 1 year and older and weighing 20 pounds to 40 pounds can ride in a forward-facing safety seat. Children who are between 40 pounds and 80 pounds should use a booster seat.
• Make sure your child's safety seat is a good fit -- don't get one that's too small or too large.