As of the beginning of the year, new recommendations may change the way your child should be buckled into a car seat so as to improve their chances of staying safe in the event of a car accident.

Beginning Thursday, a new countrywide recommendation will be submitted to parents about their children's car seats. The recommendation says that a car seat's LATCH system should not be used when the combined weight of the child and the car seat is over 65 pounds. 

The new recommendation is an amendment to a 2001 law that recommended all children of up to 65 pounds remain in a car seat or vehicle booster seat; however, that recommendation did not take into account the combined weight of children and car seats. The new recommendation comes in light of car manufacturers not being able to positively verify that the strength of their anchors can withstand the additional weight of the car seat itself.

To be sure you're following the new recommendation, it is important to weigh your children, then weigh the car seat and add the two numbers together. If the combined weight of the child and the car seat is over 65 pounds, then you should begin using your vehicles seat belt rather than the LATCH system.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that kids should stay in a car seat or harness, such as a five-point harness or booster seat, until eight years of age. The AAP's statement prompted car seat makers to design car seats and boosters that can withstand higher weights. Car seat laws differ from state to state. You can find your state's car laws by clicking here and viewing the Governors Highway Safety Association website. If you're not sure that your child's car seat is properly installed, then you can always have the car seat checked out at your nearest NHTSA office.

Source: Babble, "Parenting You Need to Know: Car Seat Law Changes in 2014" 22 November 2013