The National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommends that whenever possible, children ages 2 and under ride in the back seat of a vehicle. And the safest position for a safety seat, if it can be properly secured, is the center of the back seat.

1. A child should ride in a rear-facing seat until at least one year and 20 pounds, and a rear-facing safety seat should never be placed in a vehicle seat equipped with an air bag.
2. At one year and 20 pounds, a child can ride in a forward-facing seat equipped with internal harnesses.
3. When a child reaches the height and weight limit of his forward-facing seat (as prescribed by the manufacturer), he should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat, to be used in combination with an adult lap and shoulder belt.

A child is ready for an adult safety belt with no booster when:

1. he can sit against the back of the seat and bend his knees over the edge,
2. the lap belt makes good contact low over his hips,
3. the shoulder belt makes good contact across his chest and collarbone.