Dos and Don'ts of Carseats and Boosters
|
|
|
Up to 20 pounds, or one year of age, may signal that your child is ready to face forward. Always check with your pediatrician or CPS technician to be sure your child is big enough. When your child weighs 40 to 80 pounds, then it's time for a booster seat, which raises them to the height of the shoulder-and-lap belt.
Check height limits on your current seat before switching to a booster seat, and be sure that the child's ears reach the top of the car's seats when sitting in the booster. Seat belts are made for adults, so only ditch the booster when the child reaches a height of 4'9" and is between 8 and 12 years old. The belt should not reach the neck and above the shoulders; rather, it should lie across the hips and across the middle of the chest and shoulder. Avoid buying a used seat - you can't be sure of its history, including any vehicle accidents it might've been in. Discard seats that were in moderate to severe car crashes, or those that involved the side of the car on which the seat was placed.
|
|
|
|
|