My ParenTime | Article - Child Passenger Safety Guide: Parent's Guide to Buying and Using Booster Seats

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Parent's Guide to Buying and Using Booster Seats

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Why We Use Booster Seats

Seat belts are not designed for children. Young children are too small for seat belts and too large for toddler seats. A booster seat raises your child up so that the seat belt fits right-and can better protect your child. The sholder belt should cross the child's chest and rest snugly on the shoulder, and the lap belt should rest low across the pelvis or hip area-never across the stomach area. Your child's ears shouldn't be higher than the vehicle's seat back cushion or the back of a high-back booster seat.

Need help with your booster seat? Visit a child safety seat inspection station or a certified child passenger safety technician near you. To find one, go to nhtsa.dot.gov and click on the "Child Safety Seat Inspections" button or all 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

More than 40% of children under eight who die or suffer incapacitating injuries in fatal crashes are completely unrestrained. (NHTSA)

When Do You Use a Booster Seat?

After your child outgrows the child safety seat.

Children who have outgrown child safety seats should be properly restrained in booster seats until they are at least eight years old, unless they are 4'9" tall. (NHTSA)

There are 4 types of car restraints for children: rear-facing infant seats, forward-facing toddler seats, booster seats, and seat belts.

REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS in the pack seat from birth to at least one year old and at least 20 pounds FORWARD-FACING TODDLER SEATS in the back seat from age one to about age four and 20 to 40 pounds.

BOOSTER SEATS in the back seat from about age four and 40 pounds to at least age eight, unless 4'9".

SEAT BELTS at age eight or older or taller than 4'9". All children 12 and under should ride in the back seat.

Less than 10% of children ages 4-8 use booster seats.

These are the Types of Booster Seats You Can Use:

High-Back Belt-Positioning Booster Seats

Two types of high-back belt-positioning booster seats are available. This type of seat "boosts" your child up so the vehicle seat belt fits better.

* One is used only with a lap/shoulder belt and provides head and neck support for your child if your vehicle seat back does not have a head restraint.

* The other converts from a forward-facing toddler seat to a booster seat and comes equipped with a harness. This type can be used as a forward-facing toddler seat when your child is age one to about age four and at least 20 to about 40 pounds.

When your child outgrows the toddler seat, remove the harness to use the seat as a booster seat with the vehicle's lap/shoulder belt.

When using the harness, the seats are attached using the vehicle seat belt system and a top tether anchor, if the vehicle has one, or attached with the LATCH system, (for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children).

No-Back Belt-Positioning Booster Seats

* These seats are used with a lap/shoulder belt. They are for use in vehicles with built-in head restraints.

All booster seats are required by law to comply with the same safety standards as child safety seats. Your booster seat must have a label stating that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Safety Tips For Using Booster Seats

Always use both the lap AND shoulder belt-never just a lap belt.

The shoulder belt should never be placed behind a child's back or under the arm. If you do, your child could be seriously injured or killed in a crash.

Replace a booster seat that has been in a crash-the seat might have defects that you can't see.

Because many state laws only require children to be in a safety seat up to age 4 or so, many parents assume older kids are safe in just a seat belt. However, all children need to be restrained right whenever they ride in a motor vehicle.

Copyright � National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Please exercise reasonable caution, follow correct guidelines, and always make sure to wear your seatbelt. Remember: "Safety belt use isn't just a good idea: It's the law." Reprinted with permission.

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