Graco’s Crash Test Facility

We own and operate our very own crash test facility in Atlanta, Georgia. This allows us the flexibility to run tests throughout car seat product development that meet or exceed the US Safety standard guidelines for car seat safety (FMVSS 213).

A Dedicated Team

We have a team of 90+ certified passenger safety technicians dedicated to educating communities on the correct selection, installation, and use of car seats, booster seats, and vehicle seat belts, ensuring that caregivers are up to date on car seat education. Our technicians are trained in child passenger safety by Safe Kids Worldwide—an international organization dedicated to preventing child injury.

ProtectPlus Engineered™ to be the Safest Place Outside Your Arms

Learn AAP & NHTSA Guidelines for How to Ride

Graco supports the American Academy of Pediatrics and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Car Seat Guidelines. Examine these guidelines to help determine which type of car seat your child should be using.

All Children Start Riding Rear-Facing

The AAP recommends that all infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat. Most convertible seats have limits that will permit children to ride rear-facing for 2 years or more. Graco offers a line of car seats that help your child safely ride rear-facing longer, until they reach 50 lb.

When to Switch to Forward-Facing

Once children have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their car seat, the AAP recommends that they use a forward-facing car seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat. According to NHTSA, when compared with seat belts, 5-point harness restraints are associated with a 28% reduction in risk of serious injury. Graco offers seats with extended harness weight ratings up to 65 lb.

When to Use a Belt-Positioning Booster

After children have reached the maximum forward-facing harness weight or height for their car seat, the AAP recommends that they use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle lap and shoulder seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet, 9 inches and are between 8 and 12 years old. Children can use just the vehicle seat belt once they can sit all the way back against the vehicle seat with knees bent at the edge of the seat, the shoulder belt fits across the collarbone and sits flush with the torso, the lap belt sits low on the hips and tops of the thighs, and they can stay seated this way for the entire ride.

Our Additional Safety Technologies

Selecting a Car Seat

Learn about the types of car seats and which is right for your child.

Car Seat Installation

Watch videos to learn how to properly install your car seat.

Car Seat Expiration

Learn how to check when your car seat expires.