The tragic truth is that car collisions claim more children's lives than any other kind of accident, and more than all childhood diseases. But good protection in a car can make a big difference to a passenger's safety at any age.

Car seats (child-restraining devices, or CRDS) are regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. All car seats manufactured after January 1, 1981, must meet government standards.

Seat belt protection

Kids look to their parents as role models. To give your young ones an example of safety, always buckle up your seat belt when in a moving car.

Babies and small children need both seat belts and car seats to protect them. And older children need to practice good seat belt habits. Children will be safest in the back seat. If it has only lap belts, the belt should fit snugly across the hips (not at lap level).

In general, for passengers of all ages, a lap-shoulder combination seat belt provides much better protection than a lap-only belt. Make sure the shoulder strap fits snugly across the shoulder; on a child, if it crosses the face and neck, tuck it behind the child's back. Never hook it under an arm.

When a mother-to-be fastens her seat belt, she greatly reduces the risk of harm not only to herself but to her unborn baby as well, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Like anyone else, she should place the seat belt as low and pull it as tight as possible.

While in a moving car, it is never safe to hold a baby or small child in your lap. More obviously dangerous is to let children of any age ride in the open bed of a pickup truck, in the back of a camper or motor home, or the cargo area of a station wagon or van.

Car seats

Throughout the United States today, car seats are required by law for small children who are passengers in cars. The seats themselves must meet federal safety standards in effect since 1981. Look for labels indicating that they have been "Dynamically Crash Tested" and are certified for use in both cars and aircraft.

For a baby or child weighing under 40 pounds, the most important protection you can provide in a car is correct use of an approved car seat. Be sure that your child will fit the seat, that the seat fits your car, and that you understand its installation before you buy it.

Choices and sizes. Car seats come in three sizes, based on children's weights. For safety, it is important to use the correct size.

• Infant seats, the least expensive but the soonest outgrown, carry babies home from the hospital and right on toward the end of their first year, or up to 18 to 20 pounds. Safety requires that seats made only for infants be firmly strapped so that they face the rear of the car.

• Toddler (or preschool) car seats are designed for children from about 20 to 50 pounds. These are strapped to face forward.

• Convertible seats simplify life by seating children from infant size through toddler size. As an infant car seat, the device is strapped to face the car's rear. For safety's sake, it does not fully recline. It should not be turned forward until the baby can sit up unaided and weighs at least 20 pounds.

• Car booster seats protect children who weigh between 30 and 60 pounds. Some models provide their own harnesses or shields against impact. The most effective booster seats have fully adjustable shields. Otherwise, use the car's seat belt, which should cross the boosted child's shoulder at about the position it would cross an adult's.

Economical options. Some communities sponsor programs that loan or rent car seats at a low fee. Call the pediatric department of a local hospital to find such a program near you. Plan ahead in case of waiting lists.

If you buy or receive a used car seat, make sure that it is in good condition with no missing parts. Look for the label on its back that gives the date of manufacture. The most reliable seats have been made since January 1, 1981, when federal safety standards were implemented. Make sure, too, that the car seat comes with the original manufacturer's instructions or you may not be able to install or use it correctly.

If a used or borrowed car seat has been involved in a car accident, do not consider it safe.

TIP: Test that seat belts and car parts are cool before your child touches them.

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