Buckle Up For Safety: A Florida Parent's Guide to National Child Passenger Safety Month

Every time you drive with your little one in a car seat, you trust that they're safe. But a loose harness strap or improperly fitted booster seat can put a child’s safety at risk. Every September, National Child Passenger Safety Month is an important reminder that the right car seat only protects your child if it’s installed and used correctly.

If you're a parent or caregiver, this month is the perfect time to double-check your child's seat and what the state laws are to ensure your most precious cargo is protected every time you drive. 

What is National Child Passenger Safety Month?

Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death among children in the United States. In 2022, over 200 children under age 4 died in car crashes. Among children whose restraint use was known at the time of the crash, 27% were unrestrained. For children ages 4 to 7, there were 171 fatalities, with 34% unrestrained. A properly used car seat or seat belt can make a lifesaving difference in a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. National Child Passenger Safety Month is the perfect time to turn awareness into action and make safe, proper buckling a habit for every ride. This year, Child Passenger Safety Week is September 20th–26th, and National Seat Check Saturday September 26th.

Organizations like Safe Kids Palm Beach County provide families with education and resources to prevent accidental childhood injuries, including drowning, bicycle, pedestrian, and child passenger safety. As part of Safe Kids Worldwide, they work with local partners to promote safer communities for children.

What Are Florida Child Passenger Safety Laws?

Florida law has specific requirements for keeping young passengers safe. Here’s what every driver needs to know.

Children Ages 0 to 3

Children from birth through age 3 must be secured in a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. This can be a separate infant carrier or a child seat built into the vehicle by the manufacturer. For this age group, rear-facing car seats offer the best protection.

Children Ages 4 to 5

When your child turns 4, Florida law requires them to be in a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a booster seat. Even if they seem too big, their bodies still need the added protection that a properly fitted seat provides.

Children 6+

Florida law requires seat belts or child restraint devices for drivers, all front-seat passengers, and every child riding in the vehicle who is under 18.

What Are the 4 Stages of Car Seats

Not sure which car seat your child needs? Here are the four main types of car seats. You can also fit the right seat on the NHTSA’s website.

Rear-Facing Car Seat

A rear-facing car seat is the safest choice for young children. Infant-only seats are designed to be rear-facing, while convertible and 3-in-1 seats usually have higher height and weight limits. 

Forward-Facing Car Seat

When your child outgrows the rear-facing height or weight limit of their car seat, you’ll need to switch them to a forward-facing seat with a harness. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure your child is ready for the switch.

Booster Seat

When your child outgrows their forward-facing harnessed seat, a booster their seat belt fits properly across their chest and hips. Keep using the booster seat until the belt fits safely without one.

Seat Belt

Your child can wear a seat belt when they’re big enough for it to fit properly. The lap belt should lie snugly across the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt should rest across their shoulder and chest without touching their neck or face.

How You Can Take Action During National Child Passenger Safety Month

• Check for recalls by visiting NHTSA’s recalls page to confirm your car seat is safe, and sign up for future alerts.
• Get a free inspection by a certified technician to verify that you have the right car seat. Find a Florida Child Passenger Safety Seat Fitting Station in your county to have your seat checked.
• Spread the word about car seat safety. The right information could help protect a children’s lives.

Contact Kushel Law Group’s Boca Raton Car Accident Attorneys

If your child was injured in a car accident, you may be facing medical bills, insurance questions, and uncertainty about what to do next. Which is why it’s important to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your legal options. At Kushel Law Group, we help families understand their rights, navigate insurance claims, negligence disputes, and potential product liability claims with compassion and guidance. Contact us 24/7 for a free consultation, and to get the support you need. Call us at (561) 940-0100 or fill out our online form. Our office is located in Boca Raton, but our attorneys also help clients in Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, and Boynton Beach.

‍

FAQs

How does Florida require a child to be in a car seat?

Florida law requires children to use a child restraint through age 5, but safety experts recommend using the appropriate car seat or booster beyond that age until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly.

How tall does someone have to be to sit in the front seat?

Florida law doesn’t specify a minimum height for riding in the front seat, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 13 ride in the back seat for better protection.

When did car seats become mandatory​ in Florida?

Florida’s child passenger safety laws have been in effect since 1982.