A properly fitted car seat can help prevent these fatalities because, of those who died in 2023, 64 % were unrestrained, according to Dr. Megan Yanny, pediatrician, UW Health Kids. This week marks Child Passenger Safety Week , serving as a timely reminder on how to keep kids safe in vehicles. It is crucial to properly buckle children into the correct car seat, booster seat, or location in the car for their age and size to reduce the risk of serious injury or death, she said. The academy recommends that children younger than 2 years old be secured in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat. If a car seat has been in a crash, do not reuse or donate it.