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Tips For Choosing the Proper Child Safety Seat and/or Restraint Systems for Your Child -
Here are some tips to help you determine what type of child safety seat or restraint system your child should be using. • Replace any car seat that has been involved in a crash. • It is best not to use a car seat you do not know the history of or that is over 6 years old. • Choose the seat and/or restraint system that fits your child's age and weight, here are guidelines on which type of seat to choose: • Infant: seat in a rear-facing car seat until at least 20 pounds and at least 1 year old. Never put a rear-facing infant or convertible safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle with an active passenger air bag. • Children over 1 year old: can be put in a forward facing car seat as long as they weigh between 20 and 40 pounds. |
• Children 8 Years and Older: usually fit correctly in a standard lap/shoulder belt (they should weigh at least 80 pounds). When sitting against the back of the seat the lap belt should fit across the hips and the shoulder belt should be at the center the shoulder.
HINT - Check the side of your car or booster safety seat for a sticker listing the date of your car seat and the proper size and weight dimensions for that car seat.
• Check for product recalls (visit www.safekids.org) to see if your car seat has been listed)· Like other consumer products, car seats are occasionally recalled. Send in your car seat registration card to be sure you'll be notified.
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Photo: National Center for Injury Protection and Control