Baby Safety: Child, Toddler Car Seat & Car Booster Seat

Forward Facing Child & Toddler Car Seat

The forward facing child car seat should be used when your child is 22 lb (10 kg) to 40 lb (18 kg). Generally, this is the age group between 1 to 4½ years old. Some child car seats can be used longer, until your child is about 48 lb (22kg). How long you can use your child car seats depends on the guidelines in the instruction booklet and on the label of the child seat.

A properly installed forward facing child car seat is safe and effective because the three different part of the car seat works together to protect your child during a collision or a sudden stop.

• At the moment of impact, the harness absorbs the forward motion of the child
• The tether strap secures the top of the child seat to the vehicle
• The vehicle seat belt keeps the base in place

Remember to read the instruction booklet that comes with the child car seat and refer to it as your child grows.

Car Booster Seat

Once your toddler reaches 40 pounds, or when he/ she is over the maximum height or weight the child seat is allowed for, it's time to make the transition to a car booster seat.

Car booster seat should be used when your child weighs from 40lb (18kg) to 60lb (27 kg). This is when your child is about 4½ to 8 years of age.

Because incorrectly position the seat belt over your child can cause serious injuries or even death, the child car booster seat provides the safest way to correctly position the seat belt over your child’s body.

Car Seat Belt

From about age 8 or when your child is over 60lb (27kg), they are ready to use vehicle seat belt. However, you should continue to use the car booster seat until your child has reached the length and weight specified by the seat manufacturer.

When your child is under the age of 12 they must be seated in rear of the vehicle and as far away from the air bag as possible.

The rear seat of your vehicle is considered to be the safest place for children aged 12 or under because they are as far away as possible from the danger of a front end collision, as well as, the front seat air bags.