Researchers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have reported that parents are moving children into the "next level" of restraint too early, specifically moving kids into front facing safety seats before they were big enough (at least 36 lbs).

The NHTSA data also shows:

• About 21 percent of children younger than 1 or weighing less than 20 pounds were not riding in rear-facing seats, down from 28 percent in 2007.
• 44 percent of children 20-40 pounds were not in front-facing seats.
• 49 percent of children 12 or younger who were 37-53 inches tall were either unrestrained or prematurely graduated to seat belts, down from 56 percent in 2007.

Seat belts for children should be used when children are 8 years old or 4'9" tall.

For more information about guidelines for child seats, click here.