What is an important safety precaution regarding children in cars?

Ensuring that car seats are appropriate for a child's age and size is a critical safety precaution when transporting children in vehicles. Properly fitted car seats provide the necessary support and protection that match a child's developmental stage, which significantly reduces the risk of injury during a collision.

Different types of car seats—infant seats, convertible seats, and booster seats—are designed to accommodate specific weight, height, and age ranges. Using the correct type of car seat helps ensure that children are secured in a way that protects their fragile bodies. Safety measures, like including a harness or an appropriate restraint system, are crucial as they effectively absorb impact forces in case of an accident.

The other choices highlight practices that can compromise a child's safety. Leaving a child unattended in a car, for instance, can expose them to risks such as heatstroke or abduction. Using only seat belts may not provide sufficient protection for younger children who are not large enough to be safely restrained by adult-sized seat belts. Allowing children to roam freely in the backseat poses significant dangers, as they can become projectiles during sudden stops or collisions, increasing the risk of injury to themselves and others in the vehicle. Thus, using age- and size-appropriate car seats stands out as a vital