Why can't I use a hand-me-down seat?
It may be recalled, it may have been in a crash, or it may be too old: more then six years.

My child is a Houdini. Is there an escape proof seat?
There is no such thing as an escape proof seat.  A child's safety depends upon an adult enforcing the rules and modeling safe behavior by buckling up.

L.A.T.C.H stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.  Newer vehicles may be equipped with hooks located in the vehicle seat crease.  A car seat equipped with straps and hooks attaches to these anchors.  Retrofit kits are available for car seats.Tethers are straps that attach the top of the car seat to an anchor point in the vehicle.  Do not attach tethers to anything other than the recommended anchor points.  (See owner's manual for locations.)

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that infants riding in automobiles be kept rear-facing until they are at least one year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds.  If a car seat accommodates children rear facing to higher weights the child should remain rear facing until the maximum weight for the car seat, as long as the top of the head is below the top of the seat back.