TIP #3: TRAVELING SAFELY WITH
PRESCHOOL & SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN
A child should stay in a child safety seat with
a full harness as long as possible, until about 4 years old. If the
child's shoulders are above the top set of harness slots, a combination
child seat/booster seat with higher harness slots is a good choice.
- A
child over 4 years old may be ready for a booster seat. Booster seats
make the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt fit properly. They keep
the lap belt from causing injury to the child's abdomen and keep the
shoulder belt in place to give the child upper body protection.
- Some
younger children may outgrow the weight limit of their child safety
seat with a harness and may not be ready to stay seated properly
in a booster seat. Look for a child restraint with a higher weight
limit.
- All children who have outgrown child safety
seats should be properly restrained in booster seats until they are
at least 8 years old, unless they are 4' 9" tall. Always make
sure the child fits the adult safety belt properly.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR OLDER CHILDREN
- Backless belt-positioning
booster seats (A). Use the vehicle lap and shoulder belt and provide
good belt fit on the child. Some older types may come with a removable
shield; remove the shield and use the seat with the vehicle lap and
shoulder belt.
- High-back belt-positioning
booster seats (B). Use the vehicle lap and shoulder belt. Some are combination child
seat/booster seats with a removable harness (C). They can be used with
the harness for a younger child under 40 pounds and then as a belt-positioning
booster seat for an older child.
- Specialized restraints include child
safety seats with harness labeled for use over 40 pounds, and other
harness or shield type restraints. Check for a label stating seat
meets federal safety standards. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT RESTRAINT FOR THE CHILD AND VEHICLE
- A belt-positioning booster seat (A or B) is the best choice
if the car has combination lap and shoulder belts in the rear seat,
and the child has outgrown the forward facing seat.
- If the child's
ears come above the top of the vehicle seat, use a booster seat with
a high back to improve neck protection (B). A specialized restraint
may also be an option.
- A combination child seat/booster seat with
a removable harness (C) may fit a child from OVER age 1 to age 8
or more. Check the label for the weight limit on the harness.
- If the
vehicle only has lap belts it's safer for a child to use a lap belt
than to ride without any restraint. Be sure to keep the lap belt
low and snug across the thighs. If the lap belt rides up on the stomach
it could cause serious injuries in a crash. Other options could include
having shoulder belts installed.
Warning: Devices advertised to improve belt
fit for older children and adults are presently not covered by
government standards. These products are not recommended. They
may help with shoulder belt comfort, but may put too much slack
in the shoulder belt or cause the lap belt to ride up. Belt-positioning
booster seats are the best solution for children who don't fit
the adult safety belt. |
WHY USE A BOOSTER SEAT INSTEAD OF AN ADULT SAFETY BELT?
- Safety belts were designed for adults. Until age 8, most
children have not developed strong hipbones, and their legs and body
are too short to allow for proper fit of a safety belt.
- Many young
children do not sit still enough or straight enough to keep lap belts
low across their thighs. A belt that rides up on the tummy could
cause serious internal injuries.
- Booster seats are comfortable for
children because they allow their legs to bend normally, and they
enjoy being able to see out of the window.
USING A BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT (D)
- Place the booster seat flat on vehicle seat.
- Sit the child on the
booster seat, place the lap and shoulder belt over the child and
buckle the safety belt.
- Adjust the lap belt so it lays snugly across child's upper thighs,
not across the tummy.
- Adjust the shoulder belt and thread through shoulder belt positioner
(if available) so that shoulder belt lays snugly across the center
of the child's shoulder. Check safety belt fit often.
- Buckle the booster seat in even when the child is not in it. A
loose booster seat can injure others in a crash.
WHEN IS A CHILD READY
FOR THE ADULT SAFETY BELT?
- To be able to fit a safety belt, a child must:
- Be tall enough to sit without slouching,
- Keep his/her back
against the vehicle seat back,
- Keep his/her knees completely bent
over the edge of the seat,
- Keep his/her feet flat on the floor,
and
- Be able to stay comfortably seated this way.
- The lap belt must fit low and tight across the
upper thighs. The shoulder belt should rest over the center of the
shoulder and across the chest (E).
- NEVER put the shoulder belt under the child's
arm or behind the child's back. This can cause severe head injuries
or internal injuries in a crash. If the safety belt does not fit properly
the child should use a belt-positioning booster seat.
- Always check belt fit on the child in every vehicle.
A belt-positioning booster seat may be needed in some vehicles and
not in others.
ALWAYS read and follow the child safety seat instructions and the
vehicle owner's manual!
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For more information, contact the DOT Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT
(1-888-327-4236) or www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Illustrations from Indiana University School of Medicine |
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