Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Keep Kids Safe on Every Ride
The right car seat, used the right way, can help kids stay safe.
Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13 in the United States. But many serious injuries can be prevented by using the right car seat or booster seat for your child’s age, height, weight, and developmental level.
Even a car seat that looks “good enough” may not protect your child properly if:
- it’s the wrong type
- it’s installed incorrectly
- your child has outgrown it
- it has been damaged or recalled
Small changes can make a big difference.
Car Seat Milestones
What Car Seat Does My Child Need?
Children move through different safety stages as they grow. Always follow your specific car seat manufacturer’s height and weight guidelines.
1. Rear-Facing Car Seat
Best for: Babies and young toddlers
Use a rear-facing seat as long as possible, until your child reaches the seat’s height or weight limit.
Why it matters: Rear-facing seats better protect a child’s head, neck, and spine in a crash.
2. Forward-Facing Car Seat
Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers
Once your child outgrows rear-facing seats, move to a forward-facing seat with a harness.
3. Booster Seat
Best for: Older children who have outgrown forward-facing seats
Booster seats help seat belts fit correctly across the chest and hips.
4. Seat Belt Only
Best for: Children who are big enough for a seat belt to fit properly
A child is ready when their:
- back is against the seat
- knees bend at the edge
- lap belt sits low on hips
- shoulder belt crosses chest, not neck
The rule of thumb is 8 and 57 – age 8 or 57 inches in height – but do what’s right for your specific situation. However, even if your child has graduated from the car or booster seat, it’s important that they continue to ride in the back seat, to avoid injury if an airbag deploys during a traffic accident.
Used Car Seat Safety Checklist
Thinking About Using a Secondhand Car Seat?
Used car seats might help cut down on caregiver costs, but they can be risky if you don’t know their history.
Only use a used car seat if ALL of these are true:
- You know the full history of the seat
- It has never been in a crash
- It is not expired
- It has the manufacturer label with model number and date
- It has all original parts
- It has the instruction manual (or you can get one)
- It has not been recalled
- There are no cracks, broken parts, or missing pieces
If you’re unsure, don’t use it.
Recalls & Registration
Register Your Car Seat for Safety Alerts
Car seat manufacturers issue recalls when there’s a safety concern.
Registering your car seat helps you:
- get recall notices
- receive safety updates
- stay informed if replacement parts are needed
REGISTER YOUR CAR SEAT/CHECK FOR RECALLS >
STAYING SAFE IN THE CAR - DHTS (OAG) (ENGLISH) >
STAYING SAFE IN THE CAR - DHTS (OAG) (SPANISH) >
Not sure if your child’s car seat is installed correctly?
New Jersey families can get free help from certified & trained child passenger safety experts.
They can:
- check your installation
- check available recalls / expirations
- help adjust harness fit
- recommend the right seat for your child
- answer safety questions
Each safety check takes about 20-30 minutes to complete. No guesswork & no cost checks at various locations across New Jersey during the summer.
Find A Location Near You
Car Seat Events
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS FOR DHTS / NHTSA >
| Date | Time | Location | Address | Details |
| 6/5/2026 | 1:00pm-3:00pm | North Brunswick Target | 101 Grand Ave., North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Google Maps Link |
Flyer (PDF) |
| 6/27/2026 | 10:00am-2:00pm | Edison Target | 100 Parsonage Rd., Edison, NJ 08837 Google Maps Link |
Flyer (PDF) |
| 7/8/2026 | 12:00pm-2:00pm | Project Self-Sufficiency | 127 Mill St., Newton, NJ 07806 Google Maps Link |
Flyer (PDF) |
| 7/11/2026 | 10:00am-2:00pm | Marlton Target | 751 Route 73 S, Marlton, NJ 08053 Google Maps Link |
Flyer (PDF) |
| 7/24/2026 | 1:00pm-3:00pm | Mount Laurel Target | 2 Centerton Rd., Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Google Maps Link |
Flyer (PDF) |
| 7/25/2026 | 12:00pm-2:00pm | Bud Duble Senior Center | 33 Cooper Folly Rd., Atco, NJ 08004 Google Maps Link |
Flyer (PDF) Note: Summer Health Fair held by the Orchards Family Success Center |
| 8/7/2026 | 1:00pm-3:00pm | North Brunswick Target | 101 Grand Ave., North Brunswick, NJ 08902 Google Maps Link |
Flyer (PDF) |
| 8/8/2026 | 10:00am-2:00pm | Milltown Target | 400 Ryders Ln., Milltown, NJ 08850 Google Maps Link |
Flyer (PDF) |
| 8/15/2026 | 10:00am-2:00pm | Manahawkin Target | 209 Stafford Park Blvd., Manahawkin, NJ 08050 Google Maps Link |
Flyer (PDF) |
All Campaign Material
| Thumbnail | Title | Medium | Languages / Links |
 |
Car Seat Milestones Graphic Set | Download | English (ZIP) |
 |
Used Car Seat Safety Graphic Set | Download | English (ZIP) |
 |
Do You Know Which Car Seat Fits Your Baby? | Download | |
 |
Free Car Seat Safety Checks Summer Season | Download | |
 |
Keep Kids Safe On Every Ride | Download | |
 |
Car Seat Safety Brochure | Download |
