Posted on March 6, 2026
Laura Palescandolo
Laura is a member of the ACNJ Parent Leadership Council and is the Head of Operations and Content Editor at the Brazilian American Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Jenn Dowdy
Jenn is a member of ACNJ's Parent Leadership Council and a Child Passenger Safety Technician(CPST)
A candid conversation about car seats, common mistakes and best practices.
71%
Reduction in fatal injury risk for infants in car seats
54%
Reduction in fatal injury risk for toddlers ages 1–4
45%
Reduction in serious injury for children ages 4–8 in boosters
As a mom of two children, car seat safety has been a part of daily life for nearly a decade. My 9-year-old rides in a high-back booster, and my 5-year-old in a five-point harness (which can convert as she grows). Over the years, I have had questions about when to move up, what is “required” versus what is “recommended,” and how to make everything fit safely in our car.
That is why I am grateful to share insights along with my fellow Parent Leadership Council member Jenn Dowdy, a mom of seven and a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). Jenn not only navigates car seats in her own busy household, but she also helps other families install and use them correctly.
With multiple children, I have installed more car seats than I can count. As a CPST, I have also seen how small oversights can make a big difference in safety. Car seat safety can feel overwhelming, but it should be taken seriously. We hope this conversation answers common questions, provides practical tips, and demystifies car seat use.
Why are car seats important?
According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, motor vehicle crashes account for one in four unintentional injury deaths among children under 13, making them a leading cause of child mortality. Proper car seat use is not just recommended – it is lifesaving.
What is the most common car seat mistake you see?
Before talking with Jenn, I assumed most mistakes involved incorrect installation and loose harness straps. But I have learned there is more to it.
Incorrect installation and improper or loose harnesses are definitely common mistakes, but another common mistake is transitioning too early – from rear-facing to forward-facing, from forward-facing harness to booster, or from booster to seatbelt alone. Each stage offers specific protection for a child’s size and development.
New Jersey law requires children to be in a secured car seat or booster until age 8 or 57 inches tall. Key requirements include rear-facing seats for children under age 2 and 30 lbs., followed by forward-facing seats (five-point harness) for children under 4 and 40 lbs., and booster seats for children under 8 and 57 inches.
It is important to note that in New Jersey, the law uses the word “and,” meaning a child must meet both requirements before transitioning to the next stage. For example, my 4-year-old weighs 27 pounds, so she cannot legally ride forward-facing in her car seat. Although she is over 2 years old, she has not yet reached the required 30 pounds.
While New Jersey law sets minimum requirements, best practice recommendations often go beyond that. A child must remain rear-facing until they outgrow the seat based on one of the manufacturer’s maximum limits (height or weight), regardless of age. Similarly, a child may not transition to booster mode in a harnessed seat until they meet one of the seat’s upper harness limits.
A five-point harness spreads crash forces across the strongest parts of a child’s body. Boosters position the seatbelt properly over hips and collarbones. Seatbelts alone are designed for adult bodies – not children.
How do you know when your child is ready to move to the next stage?
My daughter sometimes mentions that she would like to sit in a booster seat, like her big brother. A classmate once commented to my son, “You still sit in that?” Transitioning to a new type of car seat or away from a booster altogether may feel like a developmental or social milestone. But I know, based on my children’s heights and weights, and following the advice of their pediatrician, that we are employing the safest options for their stages of life.
It is common for kids to compare. But readiness should always be based on height, weight, and maturity, not age alone or what siblings or classmates are doing.
Children are safest riding rear-facing beyond age 2. Best practice recommends keeping children rear-facing until at least age 4, or until they reach one of the maximum height or weight limits of their rear-facing seat.
Although many booster seats list a minimum age of 4, best practice is for children to remain in a harnessed seat until at least age 5, or until they outgrow the harness by height or weight.
Most children are not developmentally ready to sit safely in just a seat belt until approximately 10-12 years old and should pass the “5-step test” to ensure the vehicle seatbelt fits properly and safely.
Parents should always check both their car seat manual and vehicle safety guidelines, and follow whichever requirements are stricter. It is also important to recognize that pediatricians may not receive ongoing, specialized training in updated car seat safety recommendations, so consulting a certified child passenger safety technician can provide additional guidance.
What are some common car seat myths?
I have heard: “My child’s legs look cramped rear-facing, so it must be unsafe.”
That is one of the biggest myths. Children are naturally flexible, and bent legs are not a safety concern. In fact, riding rear-facing protects the head, neck, and spine much better in a crash. According to a UNECE study, children’s legs are more likely to be injured while forward facing, while rear facing results in less injuries overall.
Another myth: “We’re just going a short distance.”
Crashes are unpredictable and can happen close to home. Every ride matters.
I have also heard the safest place for a car seat is the center seat in the back row, as it is farthest from potential impact zones. Is that true?
The safest position for a car seat is the one where you can achieve the correct, secure installation. It is a common misconception that the rear center seat is always the safest; however, there is no consistent, reliable data proving it is inherently safer than other rear seating positions. Any rear seat can be a safe choice as long as the car seat is installed properly and used correctly every ride.
What about larger families with young children? How can a vehicle accommodate multiple car seats?
With a booster and car seat, the space in my car is already limited. But it is possible to fit more than two car seats in one row. Some car seats are designed with slimmer profiles to fit three across in many vehicles.
That is true – however, not every seat fits every car – and not every combination works. Sometimes it takes trying different configurations to get a secure installation for each child. A CPST can help families explore safe options without guesswork.
What other car seat safety considerations should parents and guardians keep in mind?
Winter Apparel – Bulky coats under harness straps or seatbelts can compress in a crash and create dangerous slack. A safe option is to secure your child without the coat and place the coat over the child or layer blankets over the harness instead.
Expiration – Materials degrade over time, and safety standards evolve. Always check the manufacturer’s label and be mindful of your car seat’s expiration date.
Air Travel – Car seats are the safest way for young children to travel on airplanes. For children under 40 pounds, an aircraft lap belt alone may not fit properly, and they should ride in a harnessed, FAA-approved car seat. Even children under age 2 are safest in their own seat secured in a car seat, rather than riding on an adult’s lap. If you have purchased a separate seat for your child, using an FAA-approved car seat provides important protection during turbulence (and is often more comfortable and familiar for young children). Also worth noting – booster seats (both high-back and backless) cannot be used on airplanes because aircraft seat belts are lap belts only. However, boosters can be gate checked or stored in the overhead bin, ready to be installed in a vehicle once you reach your destination.
While well worth the investment, car seats can be expensive. Are there resources to help low-income or resource-limited families in New Jersey access car seats?
Car seats can be expensive, but it is important to note that all car seats pass the same safety standards in the United States. More expensive car seats often have more bells and whistles and perhaps more comfort features, but they are not safer.
Some families prefer all-in-one (“grow-with-me”) car seats that transition through multiple stages. While these can be convenient, it is important to consider expiration dates, since a seat may expire before a child finishes using all of its modes. Also worth noting – harnessed seats tend to be more expensive, while dedicated booster seats are typically more affordable. In some cases, it may make more financial sense to use a harnessed seat until it is outgrown and then purchase a separate booster when your child meets that milestone.
For discounted or free car seats, families can reach out to the New Jersey State Police at (609) 882-2000 ext. 6455 / childprotectionseat@njsp.gov.
Closing Thoughts
Car seat safety isn’t about doing what’s popular — it’s about doing what’s safest, even if it takes extra time or effort.
Exactly. Every stage matters. Every ride matters. Asking questions is one of the best things a parent can do.
If you are unsure about your car seat installation or your child’s stage, consider connecting with a Child Passenger Safety Technician in your community. For more information, tips, or to schedule a visit with a CPST, visit safekids.org.
