Refresh Your Car Seat Safety Knowledge for 2026

As families in Okeechobee head out for everyday routines like school drop-off, doctor visits, and errands, one thing matters every single trip: proper car seat use saves lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car crashes remain a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13, but using the right car seat correctly can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury.

Choosing the Right Seat. Car seats and booster seats are designed to protect children at different stages of growth. NHTSA recommends selecting a seat based on your child’s age, height, and weight, and continuing each stage for as long as possible within the seat’s limits.

• Rear-facing seats provide the best protection for infants and toddlers and should be used until children reach the maximum height or weight allowed by the seat.

• Forward-facing seats with a harness and top tether are the next step once a child outgrows rear-facing.

• Booster seats help position the vehicle’s seat belt correctly across a child’s body and should be used until a seat belt fits properly on its own.

• Children should ride in the back seat until at least age 12 for the greatest safety.

  
  

Installation Matters: Even the right seat cannot protect a child if it is not installed correctly. NHTSA advises using either the vehicle seat belt or the LATCH system, never both, and always securing the top tether for forward-facing seats when available.

Local Support for Families: Healthy Start Coalition of Okeechobee is committed to helping families travel safely. Our team has Child Safety Passenger Technicians who are fully trained to correctly and safely install and inspect car seats.  Contact 772-462-3501 to schedule an appointment.

Safe Kids also provides car seats to families in need and partners with Okeechobee County Fire Rescue to ensure seats are installed properly. On February 20, Safe Kids  will host a car seat safety event, offering education and hands-on assistance from trained professionals.

Taking the time to choose the right seat, install it correctly, and buckle up every trip is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to protect our youngest passengers.