Built-in Child Seats and Safety

Built-in car seats can reduce injury.

Since caregivers often install portable car seats incorrectly, built-in child seats can reduce a child's risk of injury in the unfortunate instance of an accident.

Function

Built-in child seats, also known as integrated child safety seats, are specifically designed for children. These seats eliminate the need for a separate car seat or booster seat.

Significance

Vehicle crashes are the top killer of those ages 3 through 14 in the United States. Car seats and booster seats provide protection from crashes, but 75 percent of parents do not install child restraints properly.

Guidelines

Babies should sit in a rear-facing infant car seat until they are 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds, at which point they should move to a forward-facing convertible car seat that has a five-point harness restraint system. Children who weigh 40 to 80 pounds and are between 3-foot-3 and 4-9 should sit in a booster seat.

Types

Integrated seats that feature a five-point harness are designed for children at least 1 year old, weigh between 22 and 50 pounds and are no taller than 3-foot-11. Built-in booster seats that slide out and can be used with a lap/shoulder belt are available in some cars.

Safety

The National Transportation Safety Board recommends integrated child seats because they eliminate the need for supplemental hardware, avoid incorrect installation and provide a restraint system specifically designed for children.

References

• The Auto Channel: DaimlerChrysler's Integrated Safety Seats Eliminate Installation
• National Safety Council: Child Safety Seats and Boosters
• National Transportation Safety Board: Remarks by Jim Hall, Chairman

Resources

• Consumer Reports: Car Seats
• American Academy of Pediatrics: Car Safety Seats and Transportation Safety