Please take a few minutes to read this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics on child car seat safety. Please pass it along to those whom you might think will benefit from the information.
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Age Type of Seat General Guideline
Infants
Infant seats and rear-facing convertible seats
All infants should always ride rear-facing until they are at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds.
Toddlers/Preschoolers
Convertible seats
It is best to ride rear-facing as long as possible. Children 1 year of age and at least 20 pounds can ride forward-facing.
School-aged children
Booster seats
Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing car safety seats. Children should stay in a booster seat until adult belts fit correctly (usually when a child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 and 12 years of age).
Older children
Seat belts
Children who have outgrown their booster seats should ride in a lap and shoulder belt in the back seat until 13 years of age.
The right car safety seat
Infants—rear-facing
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Common questions
Q: What if I drive more children than can be buckled safely in the back seat?
A: It’s best to avoid this, especially if your vehicle has air bags in the front seat. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat. If absolutely necessary, a child in a forward-facing car safety seat with a harness may be the best choice to ride in front. Just be sure the vehicle seat is moved as far back away from the dashboard (and the air bag) as possible.
Q: What do I need to know if my child will be driven by someone else, such as for child care or school?
A: If your child is being driven by someone else, make sure
* The car safety seat your child will be using is appropriate for the vehicle used for transport.
* The car safety seat being used is appropriate for the age and size of your child.
* The person in charge of transporting your child knows how to install and use the car safety seat correctly.
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