car seats by age (jobs251.com)

Car seats are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, but each one is designed to safeguard children based on their age. Children should ride in their car seat until they reach the limit of the manufacturer's weight or height. Then, they are able to use a booster until their belts are properly fitted 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, take into consideration features like fabric that is resistant to staining, removable pieces that can be machine washed and hardware that wipes clean.

Rear-facing

Rear-facing car seats hold infants and toddlers protecting their necks and spines from a crash. They are also safer because they disperse the force of an impact over a greater area. This reduces the risk of the risk of injuries to the spinal cord.

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. This means that they should move to a forward-facing car seat only when they've reached the maximum weight or height of their current car seat, as stated by the manufacturer.

Children's head are large in relation to their body, and is still developing. This makes them vulnerable in a crash. In fact the head of a child can generate up to 25 times the force of their bodyweight in an accident -- more than enough to cause fatal injury. This is the reason why children who ride in a car seat with their backs forward are at the greatest chance of suffering fatal head injuries.

Many parents believe that their children have bigger necks and can make the transition to a car seat facing forward faster. However, it's important to realize that a baby seat who is 95th percentile isn't any stronger than the 5th percentile child, and no amount of teen push-ups can change that. In the case of a car crash, the head of a bigger child is likely to be struck with much more force, which can cause spinal cord and brain injuries.

When your child has outgrown their car seat for infants, you can convert them to convertible cars that let them to remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height limit. Children typically attain their maximum height first. So, it's crucial to follow the directions of the car seat manufacturer on when you can switch them to forward-facing mode.

If your child is at the weight limit or height of their convertible car seat, you'll need to put them in an adult booster seat. The majority of booster seats come with an integrated angle indicator that informs you whether the seat is installed and ready to change to forward-facing mode. It is recommended to use a booster seat on the back of your vehicle, and always with a lap belt (never a shoulder belt) to ensure the strongest protection for your child in a crash.

Forward-facing

Parents are often enticed to change their baby's car seat as they get older, simply because it's more comfortable. They must remember, however that rear-facing seats are a safer option for children.

In a crash with the baby facing towards the front, the neck could be at risk. The head can be thrown against the front seat by force and cause permanent spine damage. Whiplash can still occur even if the neck muscles of the child are strong. This is especially true for younger children, such as infants.

A child facing the forward is more likely to strike their head on the dashboard or in front of the window in the event of a crash. Depending on the nature of the crash and speed at which the vehicle is traveling the head may be pushed backwards against the seat and could fracture the skull or spinal cord.

The current safety guidelines require children to remain rear-facing until both they reach 20 lbs and one year old. The reason for this is that younger children don't have enough neck strength to withstand a head-on crash which is the most dangerous type of car accident.

The harness and tether help keep the child's head in place and reduce neck strain. In addition, a rear-facing child is less prone to head injuries because the impact is cushioned with the body of the seat.

If you have a child less than one year old and is in a convertible seat or an all in one that can be changed from rear-facing to forward-facing at any time, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine when it's safe for them to face forward. The guidelines will inform you whether or not you should use a tether, as well as the height and weight limits for that seat.

When your child is past the rear-facing car seat limitation you can allow them to travel in a forward-facing car seat that has a harness and tether until they reach the top weight limit or height allowed by their car seat's manufacturer. When they've outgrown this, it is time to move into a booster seat.

Booster seat

There is no age or height limit that children are able to safely stop using booster seats. The booster seat should be used until the child's vehicle belt fits properly. This could happen anywhere between 8 and 13 years old.

A booster increases the height of a child so that they are able to sit upright in the car. It also positions the shoulder portion of the belt in a way that it lies close to, but not over, the chest. The lap part of the belt should rest across the thighs, not over the stomach. Booster seats have a belt guide that helps to ensure the belt is placed correctly.

Booster seats are available with or without a rearrest. The most popular model is a high-back booster that provides neck and head support for children. It is a great option for cars with low seat backs, and no head rests. Backless boosters are cheaper, but they don't provide neck or head support. Certain all-in-one boosters allow you to switch between booster and harness modes, which makes them suitable for kids in harness mode until about 65 pounds. They can also be used as a booster seat up to 100 pounds.

Certain boosters have a lower anchors system (LATCH) which connects to the lower anchors of the vehicle and a tether, if available. Some boosters require the seat belt to hold them in place. Review the instruction manual for your vehicle to see if you can use the lower anchors inside your vehicle, and then read the booster seat instructions to learn how to utilize them.

Parents may be enticed to let their 3-year old, 30 pound child take a straight booster seat, as they're becoming too tall for a car seat. But rushing to "graduate" your child out of the harness is dangerous. Children can be injured or even killed if their belt is too loose in the event of a crash.

Back seat

All children should be in the back of a car as long as possible, using a child safety seat or booster seat that is properly installed. Children who are too big for a rear-facing car seat, or have surpassed its weight and height limits should be moved to a forward-facing child restraint with an appropriate harness until they're tall for this type of seat.

When your baby is no longer in an cheap infant car seats car seat they can be moved to a convertible, or an all-in-one car seat that has a rear-facing position. These seats are generally good for two years or until the child is at the maximum weight and height of the seat. If you have a vehicle with a middle seat install the car safety seat in a way that it can be secured tightly in this location with the lower anchor system or seat belt.

When your child outgrows their rear-facing car seat it is possible to place them into a front-facing child restraint equipped with a harness and tether. In general, these seats can be used up to 57 inches tall or until your child reaches the top weight and height limits of the seat. You can determine how tall and heavy a car seat newborn seat is by reading the manufacturer's instructions, or looking at a tag attached to the seat.

All children over the age of 18 should be in a booster seat or a lap belt for a vehicle at the very least. If they aren't able to then they should use the middle back seat restraint. Also, they should not sit in front when the airbag is active. Putting children in the front seat can increase the chance of injury in an accident because the force of impact is greater on their smaller bodies.

It is a good idea to bring your child to a local car seat clinic or inspection station for assistance in choosing and installing the best child safety seat for them. You can also see if your child's portable infant car seat seat has been recalled due to safety concerns or flaws. You can then buy one that is compatible with your vehicle and child's height. If you're not able try a seat before buying ensure that it comes with a return policy.