DOT HS 809 230
May 2002

Types of Child Safety Seats

Always read the child safety seat instruction manual. Each manufacturer provides specific instructions regarding proper use and installation of his/her safety seats.

All children age 12 and under should ride properly restrained in the back seat. Infants MUST NEVER ride rear facing in front seats where a passenger air bag is present!!!!

Rear-Facing Infant Seats With and Without Removable Bases MUST:

Face rearward only, recline at a 45^o angle, harness slots at or below baby’s shoulders; harness chest clip at armpit level.

Infant seat base installation (A)
For infants from birth to about 27 inches who weigh up to 20 pounds.
May require the use of a tightly rolled towel to allow for proper recline. (B)
An infant’s head should stay at least 2” below the top of the child seat. If the infant is tall, not yet 20 pounds, and less than 1 year, move the infant into a convertible seat, which is used rear facing.
If the infant is not yet 1 year, but weighs over 20 pounds, move the infant into a convertible seat which is recommended for a child up to 25-35 pounds rear facing. This seat is also placed rear facing.

Five illustrations of rear-facing infant seats properly secured

Convertible Seats (from birth to 40 pounds).
Rear and Forward Facing:

Illustration of child properly restrained in a rear facing convertible safety seat

When Used Rear Facing:

All are recommended for use by infants less than 1 year and up to about 20 pounds.
Some are recommended for rear facing use, for heavier infants (30-35 pounds), and less than 1 year.
Harness straps should be at or below infant’s shoulders when used rear facing.
Harness chest clip should be at infant’s armpit level.

Convertible Seats

When Used Forward Facing:

All are rated for children up to 40 pounds.
Used forward facing by children who are between 20 and 40 pounds, and over 1 year.
Harness straps should be at or above child’s shoulders. Use top harness slots of safety seat.
Harness chest clip should be at child’s armpit level.

Illustration of child restrained with top tether in a forward facing convertible seat

Forward Facing Only Seats:

Illustration of child restrained in booster seat

Rated for use by children who are between 20 and 40 pounds.
Some new models allow for use by children up to 60 pounds.
Harness straps should be at or above child’s shoulders.
Harness chest clip should be at armpit level.

The Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) System is designed to make installation of child safety seats easier by requiring child safety seats to be installed without using the vehicle’s seat belt system. As of September, 1999, all new forward facing child safety seats (not including booster seats) have to meet stricter head protection requirements, which calls for a top tether strap. This adjustable strap is attached to the back of a child safety seat. It has a hook for securing the seat to a tether anchor found either on the rear shelf area of the vehicle or, in the case of mini-vans and station wagons, on the rear floor or the on the back of the rear seat of the vehicle. As of September, 2000, all new cars, minivans, and light trucks will have this tether anchor.

Illustration of child properly restrained in forward facing safety seat

Illustration of forward facing safety seat with LATCH top tether strap

By September 1, 2002, two rear seating positions of all cars, minivans and light trucks will come equipped with lower child safety seat anchorage points located between a vehicle’s seat cushion and seat back. Also by September 1, 2002, all child safety seats will have two attachments which will connect to the vehicle’s lower anchorage attachment points.

Together, the lower anchors and upper tethers make up the LATCH system.

High-Back Booster With 5-Point Harness

Used Forward Facing Only

Recommended for use by children approximately 20 to 40 pounds, when used with harness.
Harness straps should be at or above child’s shoulders.
Harness chest clip should be at child’s armpit level.
Remove harness when child reaches 40 pounds and use the vehicle's adult lap and shoulder belt across child (belt-positioning booster).

Illustration of child secured in high-back booster seat with 5 point harness

Belt Positioning Booster Seats
Boosts child up providing a higher sitting height, which allows the adult lap and shoulder belt to fit properly

Used Forward Facing Only

All children who have outgrown child safety seats should be properly restrained in booster seats until they are at least 8 years old, unless they are 4'9" tall.
Can only be used with the adult lap and shoulder belt. Never with a lap belt only.
Provides the child a higher sitting height, which allows the adult lap and shoulder belt to fit properly.
The shoulder belt should cross the chest, resting snugly on the shoulder, and the lap belt should rest low across the upper thighs. Never up high across the stomach.
Styles include high-back, no back, and base only. A high-back booster provides head support not provided by vehicle seats with low backs or no head restraints.
The mid-point of the back of the child’s head (ear level) should not be above the vehicle seat back cushion or the back of the high back booster.

Illustration of belt positioning booster seat with lap and shoulder belt across child

*A belt-positioning booster seat should be used until the child can sit with his/her back against the vehicle seat back cushion with knees bent over the seat cushion edge, and feet on the floor, approximately 4'9".

Illustration of child secured in high-back, belt-positioning booster seat with lap and shoulder belt in use

Graphics courtesy of: Transportation Safety Training Center, Virginia Commonwealth University