Whether you're at home, at work or in the car, protecting your kids is at the front of your mind. Following basic child car safety tips can help to save your family if an accident were to occur.

Child & Car Safety Tips

What can I do to keep my children safe in the car?

The back seat is generally the safest place in the car. Although airbags are useful and save many lives, they’re powerful and can injure or kill children. If your vehicle has a passenger airbag, it’s essential for children 12 and under to ride in the back of your car.

Infants should ride in the back seat in a car safety seat or approved until age 1 and at least 20-22 pounds (9-10 kilograms).

Infants who weigh 20 pounds (9 kilograms) before 1 year of age should ride in a rear facing child car seat approved for their weight.

Children over age one and at least 20 pounds (9 kilograms) may ride facing forward with a car safety seat.

Keep your child in a safety seat with a full harness as long as possible, or at least until your child is 40 pounds (18 kilograms) and is at least 4 years old.

After the child has “graduated” from a car safety seat, the child should start wearing a regular safety belt. The adult lap and shoulder belt system alone will not fit most children until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches (1.44 meters) tall and weigh about 80 pounds (36 kilograms).

 Avoiding accidents with kids in the car

According to Kids in Cars, each year a large number of children are left alone in vehicles.  Most people underestimate the potential consequences. Risks to a child's safety including kidnapping, heat stroke, setting a vehicle in motion, injury from power accessories, getting trapped in the trunk and even fatal car crashes.

Accidents can happen right in your own garage or driveway. Kids in Cars offers the following tips to ensure child safety and help prevent accidents in or around vehicles.

Everyday car safety & children

  *  Keep vehicles locked at all times – even in the garage or driveway.

  *  Never leave keys within the reach of children.

  *  Teach children to never play in or around vehicles.

  *  Consider installing cross-view mirrors and/or a backup detection device on your vehicle.

  *  Make sure all young passengers have left your car after you park.

  *  When a child is missing, check vehicles and trunks immediately.

  *  If a child is locked inside a vehicle, get them out as quickly as possible. If they are hot or appear sick, call 911 or your local emergency number.