Child Car Seats

Which seat is right for your child?


4 out of 5 car seats are used incorrectly. Could yours be one of them?


Infants until at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds should be in a REAR-FACING CAR SEAT.
Infants must ride in the back seat facing the rear of the vehicle. This offers the best protection for your infants neck. Recline the rear-facing seat at a 45 degree angle. If the seat doesn't want to stay angled, a firmly rolled towel under the seat may help.

Kids over 1 year old and between 20 and 40 pounds can be in a FORWARD-FACING CAR SEAT.
It is important that the seat straps be fitted properly. Route the harness straps in slots above shoulder level. The harness clip should be at armpit level. Place the seat in the upright position and keep the harness straps snug.

Kids between 40 and about 60/80 pounds (usually 4 to 8 years old) should be in BOOSTER SEATS.
A booster seat makes lap and shoulder belts fit correctly: low over hips and upper thighs and snug over the shoulders. These seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belts.

Usually kids over 80 pounds and 8 years old can fit correctly in LAP / SHOULDER BELTS.
One way to tell if your child is ready is to check to see if there knees are bent at the edge of the seat without slouching. Never put shoulder belts under kids' arms or behind their backs.

Before you hit the road take a minute to be sure your child is riding safely. Study your vehicle owner's manual and car seat instructions carefully.


Never place a rear-facing infant in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag (unless you have a manual cut-off switch and have turned it off!). The back seat is the safest place for kids of any age.
Send in the car seat registration card to be notified in case your car seat is recalled. If you have any questions call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline (888-DASH-2DOT).
Replace any car seat that has been involved in a crash.
Route the safety belt correctly through the car seat.
Correctly buckle the car seat into the vehicle.
Get a tight fit -- the seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or toward the front of the vehicle.
Check your vehicle owner's manual to see if you need a locking clip. Not all safety belts will secure your car seat without it