Which advice regarding car seat safety is most appropriate for a nine-month-old?

Using child restraint devices significantly reduces the risk of fatalities and serious injuries in the event of a car crash. For a nine-month-old, who is typically in a rear-facing car seat, appropriate use of these devices is essential for their safety. Evidence suggests that child restraint systems properly installed and used can lower the risk of death in infants by 71%, making this advice particularly relevant for caregivers of young children.

The other options do not align with current safety guidelines. The recommendation that the front seat is safer than the rear seat contradicts established safety standards, which indicate that children should ride in the back seat where they are less at risk of injury from airbags and front-end collisions. The assertion that frontal airbags provide good protection for children in the front seat is misleading, as they can cause injury or death to children in that position. Finally, the claim regarding side airbags misrepresents safety data, as even side airbags can be dangerous for children who are improperly seated in the front. Hence, the advice to use child restraint devices to reduce fatalities is supported by extensive research and safety practices in child passenger safety.