CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY
Choose the best protection for your child based on their age, height and weight.
Rear Facing Seats
Use rear-facing car seats as long as possible, until your child reaches the upper weight or height limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer.*
Check to be sure…
• The child sits facing the back of the car in the car seat.
• The car seat is reclined according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Rear-facing only car seats
• Should never face toward the front of the car.
• Usually have removable bases and carrying handles for convenience.
Convertable car seats
• Use rear-facing until the child reaches the maximum height or weight allowed by the manufacturer. Then use forward-facing.
• Can often be used rear-facing for children up to 40-50 pounds, depending on the model.
Forward Facing Seats
When children outgrow their rear-facing seats (by weight or height, whichever comes first), they should ride in forward facing car seats with 
harnesses until they reach the upper weight or height limit of seat or harness. The upper limits can range from 40—90 pounds, depending on the model.
Check to be sure…
• The top of the child’s ears are below the top of the car seat.
• The top tether strap is hooked to a designated tether anchor and pulled snug.
Booster Seats
Once children outgrow the harness of their forward facing seats (by weight or height, whichever comes first), they should ride in booster seats until the seat belt fits properly on its own.*
Check to be sure…
- The child always rides in a booster seat using a seat belt with both lap and shoulder belts.
- The lap belt sits low on the child’s hips, not on the stomach
- The shoulder belt crosses over the shoulder and collar bone, not on the neck, under the arm or behind the back.
- The seat belt is snug, lays flat and is comfortable on the child.
Seat Belts
Children should stay in booster seats until they are large enough for the lap and shoulder seat belts to fit properly. This usually occurs when a child is 8 to 12 years old and about 4’9″ tall. If the belts do not fit properly, continue to use a booster seat.
• The child always uses a seat belt with both lap and shoulder belts.
• The lap belt sits low on the child’s hips, not on the stomach.
• The shoulder belt crosses over the shoulder and collar bone, not on the neck, under the arm or behind the back.
• The child’s back fits firmly against the seat back when the knees are bent at the front edge of the seat, and that the child can sit this way for the whole ride.
• The seat belt is snug, lays flat and is comfortable on the child.
Important Information
• The child is within the age, height and weight limits specified by the car seat’s manufacturer.
• The harness straps are in the right set of slots according to the manufacturer’s instructions and are snug enough that you can’t pinch any slack at the collar bone after it has been buckled.
• The chest clip is at armpit level.
• The car seat is secured tightly in the car and doesn’t move more than 1 inch when you pull on the it where the seat belt goes through it.
• The car seat is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions using either the vehicle’s seat belt or LATCH system. DO NOT USE BOTH.
• Always read and follow your vehicle owner’s manual and the car seat instructions carefully.
• NEVER install a car seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has an active air back. The back seat is safer for all children.