How to Add Height to a Car Seat
There are many reasons why it is important to make sure people are sitting at the correct height in a car. For the driver -- it is important to be able to comfortably reach the pedals -- and for adult passengers, it is necessary that the seatbelt and airbags offer protection. Young children also require a booster seat, so they are properly restrained in the car and the safety features offer the correct level of protection. A child not positioned correctly, can be seriously injured by the seatbelt and air bags in the event of an accident.
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Instructions
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Adjust the height of the seat using the built-in controls. These are usually located on the side of the seat nearest the door or on the dashboard. Height adjustment using this method is not available in all cars. Older models will only be able to move forward and backwards.
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Place a cushion on the seat to offer a slight height boost. This should not be a very plush cushion, as this will slide off the seat too easily. Car cushions can be bought that grip the seat.
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Use a booster seat for babies and younger children, until they are tall enough to fit properly into adult seatbelts. Until the age of 2, children should ride in a rear-facing child seat. Afterwards, they should swap to forward-facing booster seats, until they are between 8- and 12-years-old, depending on height.
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Tips & Warnings
A seatbelt should naturally sit across the shoulder and torso, but be well away from the face and neck, before a child can stop using a child seat. When they reach this height, they are also safe from airbags, as this safety measure is supposed to cushion an impact rather than hit a person straight in the face.
Follow child booster and safety seat installation instructions to the letter, to ensure it is fitted safely.
References
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