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All children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their car safety seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years of age.
Does a 7 year old need a car seat?
Children 0 through 3 years and less than 40 inches tall require a child safety restraint. Children ages 4 through 7 and between 40 and 80 pounds and under 57 inches tall must be in a car seat or booster seat. Children at least 4 years old and at least 80 pounds or 57 inches must be in a booster seat or adult seat belt.
What age does a child stop riding in a car seat?
California state law requires children under two years of age to ride in a rear-facing car seat. The law also requires children to remain in a booster or car seat until they are 8 years old, or 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Where is the safest place for a child to sit in a car?
The safest place for your child’s car seat is in the back seat, away from active air bags. If the car seat is placed in the front seat and the air bag inflates, it could hit the back of a rear-facing car seat — right where the child’s head is — and cause a serious or fatal injury.
How much do you have to weigh to stop using a car seat?
3 We know that children should use a car seat or booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches) tall and weigh between 80 and 100 pounds, when they can safely ride using a seat belt.
Does a 5 year old need a car seat?
Current California Law: Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat. Children who are 8 years of age OR have reached 4’9” in height may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be secured by a safety belt.
What type of car seat should a 4 year old be in?
A 4 year old should be in a forward facing 5-point harness car seat, though some families may still be able to rear-face their 4 year olds thank to higher capacity car seats.
Is it safe to put car seat behind driver?
Install in the Backseat The car seat should always be installed in the back seat. That is the safest spot for your baby. If you can, put the car seat in the center seat. If not, it is fine behind either the driver or passenger side.
Is it safe to put a towel under a car seat?
Protect your Vehicle Seats The manufacturer may allow a towel, blanket, or their specific brand of seat protector underneath the seat. The manual may specify that nothing should be used under the car seat at all.
Which side of car gets hit the most?
The rear center position will be the furthest from any impact in any type of crash. The researchers found the most common location in the vehicle for a car seat was the rear passenger side (41% of parents put the child’s car seat here). We’re not sure why so many parents put your car seat there.
Can you put a child car seat in the middle?
Position 3: Middle Rear Seat If the middle rear seat has a three-point (lap and diagonal) seat belt, this is the safest place to put a child restraint (unless the manufacturer’s instructions say one of the other seats is better) because it is the furthest away from the sides of the car.
Can I put my 4 year old in a booster seat?
When your child reaches the highest weight or height limit allowed for his forward-facing child safety seat with a harness, he should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle lap and shoulder belt (adult seat belt) fits properly, typically when he reaches 4 feet 9 inches in height and is between 8 and 12.
Can I put my 5 year old in a booster seat?
Only move your child into a booster seat with an adult seat belt when they are too tall for a forward-facing restraint, as shown by the shoulder markers. To be safest in a crash, your child needs to be in a booster seat until they are at least 145 cm tall and can pass the five-step safety test (see below).
What kind of car seat should a 5 year old be in?
The different kinds of child restraints. 6 months to 4 years – Forward-facing car seat. 0 up to 8 years – Convertible car seats. 4 years to 8-10 years – Booster seat.
Can my 5 year old sit in a backless booster?
Backless booster seat age requirements: From the time kids surpass the weight or height limits allowed by their car seat to about 8 to 12 years of age (depending on the child’s size).
Does my 5 year old need a 5-point harness?
Even big kids need to be safe in cars! NHTSA recommends children remain in a forward-facing car seat with a 5-point harness until the child reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by the seat. At which time, the child can move into a belt positioning device.
What kind of car seat should a 40 lb child be in?
When your child reaches 40 – 45 pounds, you can forward face in the convertible seat until up to around 65 pounds. Be sure to check the weight and height specifications for your specific seat. Although, convertible car seats, on average, will hold your child from 5-65 pounds and include a 5-point harness and tether.
Does a 4 year old need a 5 point harness?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids use a car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight for that five-point harness. 2 This is usually not until at least age four, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
