Children's car seats safety

Convertible Seat/used rear-facing (select one recommended for heavier infants). Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the seat belts or by the LATCH system.

Tips for infant car seat safety

• Never use in a front seat where an air bag is present.
• Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing the rear.
• Child seat should recline at approximately a 45 degree angle.
• Harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level (lower set of slots for most convertible child safety seats).
• Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

Preschoolers/Toddler

1 to 4 years/ at least 20 lbs. to approximately 40 lbs. Convertible Seat/forward-facing or Forward-Facing Only or High Back Booster/Harness. Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the seat belts or by the LATCH system.

Tips for preschoolers/toddler car seat safety

• Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing forward.
• Harness straps/slots at or above child’s shoulders (usually top set of slots for convertible child safety seats).
• Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

Young Children

4 to at least 8 years/unless they are 4’9" (57") tall. Belt-Positioning Booster (no back, base only) or High Back Belt-Positioning Booster. NEVER use with lap-only belts—belt-positioning boosters are always used with lap AND shoulder belts.

Tips for young children car seat safety 

• Booster base used with adult lap and shoulder belt in rear seat.
• Shoulder belt should rest snugly across chest, rests on shoulder; and should NEVER be placed under the arm or behind the back.
• Lap-belt should rest low, across the lap/upper thigh area—not across the stomach.

Information extracted from: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/