(HealthDay News) — Thousands of young children face injury or death in car accidents each year. Proper use of car seats can keep children safe in the event of a crash, says American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The AAP provides these guidelines for choosing car seats:

  • All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat.
  • After outgrowing a rear-facing seat, a child should ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness.
  • After outgrowing the forward-facing seat, a child should use a belt-positioning booster seat.
  • Children old enough and large enough to fit correctly should use seat belts.
  • All children under 13 years of age should ride in the back seat.
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