When planning a vacation with kids, there are a thousand little details to remember. Between making hotel reservations, packing, and ensuring your children don't get homesick, you may not even have thought to consider whether or not you're following the correct car seat safety laws.

Surprisingly, there is no federal law for car seat use in the United States. Each state is free to set its own regulations regarding the use of child restraint systems. This means the laws in your home state may not be the same as the laws at your destination.

As an out of state driver, you are obligated to follow car seat safety rules from your home state and research whether or not there are any significant differences where you are traveling. However, the simplest course of action may be to just follow the guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Since these guidelines are either equal to or more stringent than state laws, you'll be assured of compliance wherever you go.

• A rear facing car seat or infant car seat should be used until the child is 1 year old and 20 lbs.
• A car seat should be used until the child is 4 years old and 40 lbs.
• A booster seat should be used until the child is 8 years old, 4'9" in height, and 80 lbs.

Of course, a child safety seat does no good if it's not installed properly. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians typically find three to five mistakes whenever they check to see if a child safety seat is correctly installed. If you're planning a long trip, it may be worth the added peace of mind to have your seat inspected to see if it's installed properly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a database of car seat clinic locations across the United States, most of which are located at fire stations, courthouses, public health clinics, or hospitals. There is no charge to attend a car seat clinic, although an appointment may be necessary.