Some words on car seat safety from AAA.

Consider these safety ideas from AAA and other auto experts:

Read the safety seat instructions. Sounds like a no-brainer, but plenty of people skip this step, which outlines how to thread the seat belt through the safety seat securely.

Read the car’s owner’s manual. It will indicate if you need “extras” such as a locking clip that secure the safety seat or an accessory belt for fitting child seats in particular seating positions.

Use rear-facing seats for newborns up to 1 year of age and 22 pounds in weight. The rear facing position supports the child’s entire head, neck and back and helps reduce stress to the neck and spinal cord in a crash.

Keep kids in the back seat. AAA reports that properly restrained children – especially those under age 13 – have significantly les chance of death or injury if they ride in the back.

Consider booster seats for kids who weigh more than 50 pounds. There are no federal standards for these booster seats, but experts at AAA believe booster seats reduce injury. When adult-size seat belts are used for these children, they risk injuries to the liver, spleen and bowel, and spine.

For more information go to seatcheck.org or aaa.org.