Car Seats by Age
Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children sit in their seats until they've reached the manufacturer's weight or height limits, and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10-12.
When you are looking for a new car seat, take into consideration features such as fabric that resists stains, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and hardware that wipes clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They are also safer since they spread the impact force over an area larger than the surface, which limits spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to move forward.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies. They are also growing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can generate up to 25 times their body weight in an accident that is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children are at chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they are in a car seat that is facing the front.
Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward sooner. However, it's important to realize that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than 5th percentile kids, and no amount of teen push-ups can alter the fact that. In the case of a car accident the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be hit with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seats uk car seat, you can change to a convertible car that allows them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. In general, children will attain their maximum height first and it's crucial to be attentive to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when you should switch to forward-facing.
If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to put them in a booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with a built-in angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and ready to flip into forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best protection for your child in the event of a crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are enticed to turn their babies' car seat newborn insert seats when they get older because it seems more convenient. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.
A baby who is facing forward in car seats puts their necks at risk in a crash because the head could be thrown against the seat's front and could cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.
A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in the event of a crash. Depending on the kind of crash is occurring and how fast the car is moving, the head could be placed against the seat. This can cause fractures to the skull or spinal chord.
The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 lbs and 1 year old. The reason for this is that younger children do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of car accident.
The harness and tether help keep the child's head stable and reduce neck strain. Additionally the rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.
If you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can change from forward-facing to rear-facing ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether and the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.
When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit you can allow them to travel infant car seat in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it the time is now to move on to a booster.
Seat booster
There isn't a set age or height when kids can safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat is to be used until the child's belt fits properly. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster elevates a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have belt guides that help to ensure the belt is properly placed.
Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type that offers neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't provide neck or head support. Some all-in one boosters let you switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as a booster.
Some boosters come with an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether, when available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if you can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.
Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child into a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall for a harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is not secure enough, children can be seriously injured or even die in a collision.
Back seat
All children should sit in the back seat of a car for as long as they can with a child safety seat or booster seat that has been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear facing car seat, or who have exceeded its weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing child restraint with harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.
When your baby is no longer in the infant car seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing position. These seats can typically be used for a period of up to two years or until your child reaches the seat's maximum weight and height limit. Install the car safety seat in the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed into a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child outgrows the maximum weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at a tag attached to the seat.
All children over the age of 18 should be in a booster seat or a lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not you can use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. They should also not sit in front when the airbag is in use. Putting children in the front seat could increase their chances of getting injured in an accident, as the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help choosing and installing the right child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat is being recalled due to problems or safety concerns. You can then buy one that fits both your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able to try a seat before buying, make sure it has an exchange policy.
Each car seat is made to fit a certain age group. It is recommended that children sit in their seats until they've reached the manufacturer's weight or height limits, and then use an extra seat until the vehicle belts are properly fitted, usually when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or age 10-12.
When you are looking for a new car seat, take into consideration features such as fabric that resists stains, removable pieces that can be washed by machines, and hardware that wipes clean.
Rear-facing
Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers to protect their spines and necks from injuries in a crash. They are also safer since they spread the impact force over an area larger than the surface, which limits spinal cord injuries.
Parents are often tempted to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. The manufacturer will inform you when your child is ready to move forward.
The heads of children are huge relative to their bodies. They are also growing, which makes them especially vulnerable in a crash. A child's head can generate up to 25 times their body weight in an accident that is more than enough force to cause a fatal injury. This is why children are at chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they are in a car seat that is facing the front.
Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward sooner. However, it's important to realize that a child who is in the 95th percentile isn't any more powerful than 5th percentile kids, and no amount of teen push-ups can alter the fact that. In the case of a car accident the head of a child with a bigger size will likely be hit with greater force. This can result in injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
When your child has outgrown their infant car seats uk car seat, you can change to a convertible car that allows them stay rear-facing up until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. In general, children will attain their maximum height first and it's crucial to be attentive to the car seat manufacturer's instructions on when you should switch to forward-facing.
If your child is at the limit of weight or height of their convertible car seat, it's time to put them in a booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with a built-in angle indicator that will inform you whether the seat is installed and ready to flip into forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat in the back seat of your vehicle, and only with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the best protection for your child in the event of a crash.
Forward-facing
Many parents are enticed to turn their babies' car seat newborn insert seats when they get older because it seems more convenient. But they must remember that rear-facing seats are safer for children.
A baby who is facing forward in car seats puts their necks at risk in a crash because the head could be thrown against the seat's front and could cause permanent damage to the spine. Even if a child's neck muscles are strong enough, it's still possible for them to experience whiplash. This is particularly applicable to children who are younger, such as infants.
A child facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard, or even a window in the event of a crash. Depending on the kind of crash is occurring and how fast the car is moving, the head could be placed against the seat. This can cause fractures to the skull or spinal chord.
The current safety standards require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 lbs and 1 year old. The reason for this is that younger children do not have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on collision which is the most serious kind of car accident.
The harness and tether help keep the child's head stable and reduce neck strain. Additionally the rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries due to the fact that the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.
If you have a child under a year in a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat that can change from forward-facing to rear-facing ensure that you read the manufacturer's guidelines about when it is safe for your child to face the front. The guidelines will explain whether or not you should use a tether and the weight and height limitations for that particular seat.
When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit you can allow them to travel infant car seat in a forward-facing car seat using a harness and tether until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Once they've outgrown it the time is now to move on to a booster.
Seat booster
There isn't a set age or height when kids can safely stop using a booster seat. The booster seat is to be used until the child's belt fits properly. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.
A booster elevates a child's height so that they can sit upright in the car. The shoulder part of a belt is positioned so that it is close to the chest, but not directly above. The lap part of the belt should rest on the thighs, not on the stomach. Booster seats have belt guides that help to ensure the belt is properly placed.
Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back type that offers neck and head support for children. It's a good choice for cars with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't provide neck or head support. Some all-in one boosters let you switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children from to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds when used as a booster.
Some boosters come with an anchor system for lower anchors (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors on the vehicle and a tether, when available. Some boosters require the vehicle's seat belt to hold them in place. Check your vehicle's owner's manual to determine if you can use the lower anchors. Also, read the instructions for the booster seat to learn how to use it.
Parents may be enticed to move their 30-pound, 3-year-old child into a booster car seat due to the fact that the child is becoming too tall for a harness seat. However, rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness can be dangerous. If the belt is not secure enough, children can be seriously injured or even die in a collision.
Back seat
All children should sit in the back seat of a car for as long as they can with a child safety seat or booster seat that has been properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear facing car seat, or who have exceeded its weight and height limits, should switch to a forward-facing child restraint with harness until they attain the maximum height for this type of seat.
When your baby is no longer in the infant car seat, they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing position. These seats can typically be used for a period of up to two years or until your child reaches the seat's maximum weight and height limit. Install the car safety seat in the middle seat of your vehicle. It can be securely fastened with the lower anchor system and seat belt.
If your child has outgrown their rear-facing car seat, they can be placed into a front-facing child restraint fitted with a harness and tether. Typically, these seats can be used up to 57 inches or until your child outgrows the maximum weight and height recommendations of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat is by studying the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at a tag attached to the seat.
All children over the age of 18 should be in a booster seat or a lap belt in the vehicle as much as possible. If not you can use a back seat restraint located in the middle of the back seat. They should also not sit in front when the airbag is in use. Putting children in the front seat could increase their chances of getting injured in an accident, as the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies.
You can bring your child to an inspection station or car seat clinic to get help choosing and installing the right child safety seat. You can also determine if your car seat is being recalled due to problems or safety concerns. You can then buy one that fits both your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able to try a seat before buying, make sure it has an exchange policy.