General Child Seat Use Information
Buckle Everyone. Children Age 12 and Under in Back! |
| |
AGE /
WEIGHT |
SEAT TYPE /
SEAT POSITION |
USAGE TIPS |
| INFANTS |
Birth to 1 year and less than 20 lbs. |
Infant-Only Seat/rear-facing or Convertible Seat/used rear-facing.
Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the seat belts or by the LATCH system.
|
Never use in a front seat where an air bag is present.
Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing the rear.
Child seat should recline at approximately a 45 degree angle.
Harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level (lower set of slots for most convertible child safety seats).
Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.
|
| Less than 1 year/ 20-35 lbs. |
Convertible Seat/used rear-facing (select one recommended for heavier infants).
Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the seat belts or by the LATCH system.
|
Never use in a front seat where an air bag is present.
Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing the rear.
Child seat should recline at approximately a 45 degree angle.
Harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level (lower set of slots for most convertible child safety seats).
Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.
|
PRESCHOOLERS /
TODDLER |
1 to 4 years/ at least 20 lbs. to approximately 40 lbs. |
Convertible Seat/forward-facing or Forward-Facing Only or High Back Booster/Harness.
Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the seat belts or by the LATCH system.
|
Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing forward.
Harness straps/slots at or above child’s shoulders (usually top set of slots for convertible child safety seats).
Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.
|
YOUNG
CHILDREN |
4 to at least 8 years/unless they are 4’9" (57") tall. |
Belt-Positioning Booster (no back, base only) or High Back Belt-Positioning Booster.
NEVER use with lap-only belts—belt-positioning boosters are always used with lap AND shoulder belts.
|
Booster base used with adult lap and shoulder belt in rear seat.
Shoulder belt should rest snugly across chest, rests on shoulder; and should NEVER be placed under the arm or behind the back.
Lap-belt should rest low, across the lap/upper thigh area—not across the stomach.
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Child Passenger Safety
Survey Finds Nearly 73 Percent of Child Restraints Misused: NHTSA Launches New Campaign to Promote Booster Seat Use
