Finding the right car seat for your child based on their age, weight and height is extremely important and necessary to keep them safe if an accident occurs. Here are some helpful tips on what car seat is appropriate for their age and how to correctly fit your child in the car seat.
Birth – 12 Months
A child under the age of 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
1-3 Years
Keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible – it’s the best way to keep them safe. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer.
4-7 Years
Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it is time to travel in a booster seat.
8-12 Years
Keep your child in a booster seat in the back until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. The lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face.
How to Fit Your Child Correctly in the Car Seat:
It’s important that you properly position your child in the car seat to protect them if there is an accident.
1. Properly position the harness on your child:
a. Rear-facing: Harness straps should lie flat, not twisted, and be placed through the slot that is at or below your child’s shoulders.
b. Forward-facing: Harness straps that should lie flat, not twisted, and be placed through the slot that is at or above your child’s shoulders.
2. Buckle the harness and the chest clip and tighten:
a. The harness is snug enough when extra material cannot be pinched at the shoulder.
3. Make sure the chest clip is at armpit level.
Get more tips from Safecar.gov