Safety Seats

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Use only safety seats labeled: ""This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.'' The label should have a stamp stating that the seat was manufactured after January 1, 1981.
• Whenever possible, put the safety seat in the back seat of the car. Fasten the harnesses on the car seat over the child's shoulders with less than one inch of space. Do not put small infants in seats with rigid shields.
• The following age and weight guidelines will help you choose the right car seat. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for exact figures.
  • BIRTH TO 9 TO 12 MONTHS (OR 20 POUNDS): Use an infant or convertible seat facing backward.
  • 9 TO 12 MONTHS (OR 20 POUNDS) TO 4 YEARS (OR 40 POUNDS): Use a convertible or toddler seat in the forward-facing position.
  • 4 YEARS (OR 40 POUNDS) TO 8 YEARS (OR 70 POUNDS): Keep your child in a convertible or toddler seat as long as he or she will fit. When your child has outgrown the seat, use one of the following:
  • If the car has a lap/shoulder belt in the rear seat, use a booster seat that positions the lap/shoulder belt correctly. Secure the lap belt across the child's hips. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or front of the neck.
  • Use the rear lap/shoulder belt alone if it fits properly. It should not cross the face or neck or ride up across the stomach. The belt should fit across the child's hips.
  • If no rear lap/shoulder belt is available, use a shield-type booster seat restrained by the lap belt in the car.
  • If no other type of restraint is available, use the lap belt. Position it low on the hips and adjust snugly.
  • 8 YEARS AND OLDER (OR 70 POUNDS AND MORE): You can use the car's protection system without a booster seat.
• Check the seat's temperature before you place your child in it. Hot straps and belts may cause burns. Cover the car seat with a towel or sheet in hot weather and whenever you park in direct sunlight.
• Praise your child often for appropriate behavior in the car. Never let a fussy child out of the car seat or safety belt while the car is moving. If your child tries to get out of the seat or unbuckles the seat belt, pull over and stop the car. Firmly, but calmly, explain that the car won't go until the child is buckled in the car seat or seat belt.

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