Booster Seats

Proper use of car and booster seats is one of the most important things you can do to protect your child’s safety. In order to use a car or booster seat properly, it’s important that you know the guidelines associated with each.

First, all infants under one year of age and under 20 pounds and 27 inches should sit in a rear facing car seat. The seat should be in a semi-reclined position, or at a 45 degree angle. Once they’ve reached one year of age and 20 pounds they can be moved to a forward facing seat. Never use a rear facing car seat in the forward facing position.

When your child reaches 40 inches tall or approximately 40 pounds, they can begin using booster seats. Booster seats help elevate a child so that the seat beat falls across his chest. It is recommended that a child continue using a booster seat until they reach 4 feet 9 inches and approximately 80 pounds. For the smaller child, this can mean using a booster seat until age 9 or 10. Most children will rebel against this pretty quickly, and it may be very inconvenient to send a booster seat along everywhere your child goes.

So, you can check to see if your child is safe without a booster seat even if he doesn’t meet the height and weight guidelines. When your child can sit in the car seat with his back against the seat back and his legs can bend properly over the seat, he’s safe to sit without a booster seat. The shoulder belt should be positioned across his chest, not at his neck.

If your child meets the other requirements, but you find that the shoulder belt still doesn’t sit across the chest properly, there are some products you can purchase to help. One is a padded nylon sleeve through which you thread the shoulder belt and reposition it. Another device is a two-foot-long slotted plastic bar that also repositions and secures the lap and shoulder belt. These products are great for helping your child discontinue use of their booster seat, yet ensure that they remain safely buckled in the car.

Proper use of car seats and booster car seats can save your child’s life. Be certain to follow the guidelines regarding car and booster seat use and be certain that your child’s car seat is installed properly.