What is the general guideline for rear-facing car seats for toddlers and preschoolers?

• A. Keep child rear-facing to the highest weight/height allowed by the seat, typically until at least age 2 or longer if seat allows.
• B. Turn forward-facing by age 1.
• C. Place the seat in the front passenger seat.
• D. Use only in the back seat but can be forward-facing at any time.

Answer: (A)

Keep the child rear-facing to the highest weight/height allowed by the car seat, typically until at least age 2 or longer if the seat allows. This orientation better protects the head, neck, and spine in a crash because the forces are distributed along the back of the seat and the harness holds the child securely at the shoulders and hips. Many seats now support higher limits, so kids often stay rear-facing well beyond age two. Turning forward-facing by age one isn’t aligned with current safety guidance, and placing a rear-facing seat in the front passenger seat exposes the child to the risk of injury from airbags. Staying rear-facing in the back seat until the seat’s limits are reached, and only then transitioning to forward-facing, aligns with best practice.