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Car Seats by Age Each car seat is made to be suitable for a particular age group. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the manufacturer's weight or height limits. Then, they can use a booster until their vehicle belts fit correctly and they're usually between 10 and 12 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall. When you are looking for a new car seat, consider features such as fabric that resists staining, pieces that are removable and can be machine washed and accessories that can be cleaned. Rear-facing Rear-facing car seats are designed to hold infants and toddlers, shielding their delicate necks and spines in the event of a crash. They're also safer as they spread the force of impact over more of a larger area which minimizes spinal cord injuries. Parents are often tempted to move their kids into forward-facing car seats before they're ready. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they remain rear-facing for as long as possible. The manufacturer will let you know when your child is ready to transition forward. Children's head are large in relation to their bodies and still developing. This makes them more vulnerable in a crash. In infant car seats uk of a child could generate up to 25 times the force of their body weight in a collision — enough to cause a deadly injury. This is why children of the ages of 5 and under are at chance of suffering fatal head injuries when they ride in a car seat that is facing the front. Many parents believe that their children have larger necks and are able to make the transition to a car seat that faces forward earlier. However, it's important to keep in mind that a 95th percentile baby isn't as strong as the 5th percentile child, and no amount of teen push-ups can change that. In the event of a car crash, a larger child's head is likely to be hit with greater force. This can lead to injuries to the spinal cord and brain. If your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, you can convert them to a convertible car that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children usually attain their maximum height first. So, it's essential to follow the guidelines of the car seat manufacturer on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode. If your child has reached the weight limit of their convertible car seat or maximum height, you will require them to be moved into the booster. Most booster seats come with an indicator that indicates the angle to let you know when the seat has been properly installed and is ready to be turned to forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat in the back of your vehicle and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the most secure protection for your child in a crash. Forward-facing Parents are often tempted to turn their child's car seat around as they grow older, as it's more convenient. But they must keep in mind that rear-facing is safer for children. A baby who is facing forward in the car seat puts their necks in danger in a crash because the head could be thrown back by force against the seat's front and can cause permanent injury to the spine. Whiplash can still occur even when the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is particularly true for smaller kids, like infants under a year old. A child who is facing in the direction of the driver is more likely hit his head on the dashboard or even a window, in an accident. Depending on what kind of crash takes place and how fast the car is moving the head could be pushed against the seat. This could result in a fractured skull or spinal chord. Current safety standards require kids to remain rear-facing until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year old. This is due to the fact that younger children don't have the neck strength to withstand the forces involved in a head-on collision, which is the most serious kind of accident where cars are involved. Using a harness and tether while rear-facing helps to ensure that the child's head is stable and reduces the strain on their necks. Furthermore the rear-facing child is less likely to sustain head injuries since the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat. If you have a child younger than one year old in a convertible seat or an all-in-one which can be turned from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine if it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines from the manufacturer will indicate whether or the need for a tether exists and what the maximum weight and height is for the particular seat. When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limit you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing seat with tether and harness until they reach the maximum weight limit or height allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. When they've outgrown this, it is time to travel in the booster seat. Booster seat There is no set age or height at which children can safely stop using the booster seat. Kids should use one until the vehicle belt is properly fitted, and that can happen between the ages of 8 and 13. A booster raises the height of a child to ensure that they are able to sit upright in cars. It also places the shoulder portion of the belt so it lies close to but not directly over the chest. The lap portion of the belt must rest on the thighs, not the stomach. Booster seats come with a built-in belt guide to help ensure the belt is positioned correctly. Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most commonly used booster seat is the high-back, which provides neck and head support for children. It's a great choice for vehicles with low seat backs and no head rests. Backless boosters are less expensive but they do not provide neck or head support. Some all-in one boosters allow you to switch between boost and harness modes. They are suitable for children up to 65 pounds in harness mode, and up to 100 pounds as boosters. Some boosters are equipped with a lower anchors (LATCH) system that connects onto the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether in the event that one is available. Others require the vehicle seat belt to secure them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to determine if you are able to use the lower anchors inside your vehicle, and then read the booster seat instructions to learn how to use them. Some parents may be enticed to transfer their 30-pound 3-year-old child to a booster car seat because the child is getting too tall for the harness seat. It's risky to “graduate” a child from a harness. If the belt is not secure enough children could be severely injured or even die in an accident. Back seat All children should sit in the back seat of a car as long as is possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too large for a rear-facing car seat, or have exceeded its weight and height limits they should change to a forward-facing child restraint that has a harness until they reach the maximum height allowed for this type of seat. When your baby is outgrowing an infant car seat, you can move them to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seats with the option of rear-facing. Usually, these seats can be used up to 2 years or until your child is over the seat's maximum height and weight limit. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat, install the car safety seat so it is secured to this spot using the lower anchor system or seat belt. If your child is no longer in a rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them in a child restraint that is front-facing fitted with a harness and tether. These seats are usually used until your child reaches the height of 57 inches or reaches the maximum weight and height guidelines for the seat. The manufacturer's instructions or a tag on the car seat will let you know how tall and heavy it can support. All children over the age of 18 should be seated in a booster seat or a lap belt in the vehicle, if possible. If not then they should use a back restraint that is located in the middle of the back seat. It is also recommended to not sit in front when the airbag is activated. Putting children in the front seat can increase the chance of being injured during an accident, as the impact forces are stronger on their smaller bodies. You can bring your child to an inspection station or a car seat clinic for assistance in choosing and installing the right child safety seat. You can also determine whether your car seat is being recalled due to problems or safety concerns. You can then purchase one that's compatible with your car and your child's size. If you're not able test a seat prior to purchasing be sure that it comes with a return policy.