Child Safety Seats Vs. Booster Seat
Car seat selection is one of the biggest decisions parents make concerning child safety. Child safety seats are required for infants and toddlers. Older children need a booster seat to ensure safety in the car. All states in the U.S. have laws that require children to wear seat belts, but car seat and booster seat laws vary by states. However, parents are advised to follow guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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Child Safety Seat Recommendations
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According to the Philadelphia Children's Hospital, infants should be placed in a rear-facing child safety seat until they are 1 year old and weigh at least 20 pounds. Then the child can be placed in a forward-facing safety seat.
Booster Seat Recommendations
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Once a child has outgrown a safety seat, he is ready for a booster seat that raises him so the seat belts are properly positioned. Booster seats are for children who weigh at least 40 pounds, and should be used until they are at least 80 pounds and 4-foot-9.
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Types of Child Safety Seats
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Child safety seats may be infant-only seats that need to be replaced once the child reaches the product's maximum weight and/or height restrictions. A rear-facing convertible car seat can be used for an infant, then face forward for toddlers. Another option is a car bed, which is helpful for premature infants or small babies.
Types of Booster Seats
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Booster seats may have no back or a high back. Convertible seats that change from a child safety seat to a booster seat are another option. Some newer vehicles may have booster seats built into the back seat of the car.
Safety Tip
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The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that the safest location in a vehicle for all children under the age of 13 is the back seat. Deployed airbags can inflict injury on children in the front seat.
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