What You Need to Know

Use a forward-facing car seat (convertible or combo seat) until the harness no longer fits. Take the next step to a booster seat when you answer “yes” to any of these questions:

• Does your child exceed the car seat’s height or weight limits?

• Are your child’s shoulders above the car seat’s top harness slots?

• Are the tops of your child’s ears above the top of the car seat?

Older than age 1 and more than 20 pounds

• Use a forward-facing car seat correctly in a back seat every time your toddler rides in a car.
  

• Use the right car seat with a harness for your toddler’s weight and height. Toddlers are weighed and measured at every doctor visit, so be sure to keep track.

• Use the car’s safety belt or LATCH system to lock the car seat into the car. Your car seat should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back. Grab the car seat at the safety beltpath or LATCH path to test it.

• Put harnesses through the slots so they are even with or above the child’s shoulders. Some seats require use of the top slots when the seat is forward-facing, so check instructions.

• Be sure the harness is tight, so you can’t pinch extra webbing at the shoulder.

• Use a top tether if your vehicle and car seat are both so equipped. Tethers limit the forward motion of your child’s head in a crash. If you don’t have them, contact your car dealer.

• Adjust the chest clip to armpit level.

• A child is too big for the seat when the shoulders are above the top slots, the tops of the ears are above the back of the seat or the weight limit is exceeded. If you have a heavier or taller child, find a car seat with a harness that fits larger children. Some seats hold children up to 80 pounds.
  

• Be sure all occupants wear safety belts correctly every time. Children learn from adult role models.

• Get help with your child's car seat by contacting a Safe Kids coalition near you.

Safety In and Around Cars

Also visit Safety In and Around Cars.