BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The American Academy of Pediatrics is changing its recommendations on when it is okay for your child to no longer use a car seat.
Those recommendations were originally based on age, but that doesn't matter as much anymore.
"It's important to realize that these are high risk situations, driving small children in cars on the highway, and that we can decrease the risk of injuries up to 70-percent," said Dr. Kathryn Bass of Oishei Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Bass wants parents to know about the five new evidence-based recommendations for car safety seats. The first is about rear-facing car seats, which are the safest car seats for your child according to Dr. Bass.
Instead of recommending using them until a child is two, the seat now says pay attention to your child’s weight.
"It now has been extended up to four years of age, and that goes to about 35 pounds," Bass said.
Just look at the label on your child's rear-facing car safety seat to see how long they can use it for.
Once your child is in a forward-facing seat, use it until they exceed the weight limit. Usually it's around 60 pounds. When that happens, start using a booster seat. When they're too big for that, make sure they're always buckled up.
"The Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending that kids ride in the back until 13 years of age. It's hard for those adolescents, but it's safer," Dr. Bass said.
Current state law only requires children to be in a car seat until age four. It does not say which way the seat has to face. If you break that law, you'll be fined $25 to $100 and get three points on your license.
In November of 2019, the laws in New York change and will require all kids under two to be in rear-facing car seats.