The back seat is generally the safest place in a crash. If your vehicle has a passenger air bag, it is essential for children 12 and under to ride in back.

Infants should ride in rear facing restraints (in the back seat) until age 2. Always read your child restraint manual for instructions on properly using the restraint. Children over age 2 may ride facing forward.

Put the belt through the correct slots. If your safety seat can be used facing either way, use the correct belt path for each direction. Check the vehicle owner's manual and safety seat instruction book for guidance. This also applies to the lower anchor system.

Keep harness straps snug over the child's shoulders. Place the chest clip at armpit level.

Keep your child in a safety seat with a full harness as long as possible, at least until 40 pounds and 4 years old. Then use a belt-positioning booster seat which helps the adult lap and shoulder belt fit better. A belt-positioning booster seat is preferred for children between 40-80 pounds. It is used with the adult lap and shoulder belt.

The child should be at least 8 years old and tall enough to sit without slouching, with knees bent at the edge of the seat, with feet on the floor. The lap belt must fit low and tight across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should rest over the shoulder and across the chest. Never put the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the child's back. The adult lap and shoulder belt system alone will not fit most children until they are at least 4'9" tall and weigh about 80 pounds.