Size & weight guide for child restraints

Size & Weight Guide for Child Restraints

Office Injury Prevention
September, 2011

From
Birth-5 lbs. to 35 lbs.

To

What You Need to Know when Using and Purchasing a Seat:

At the very least 12 months and 20 lbs.

Infant only (Rear-Facing) ($70 - $120)
Disadvantages: The infant carrier in most cases will last a child only 6-months (for those seats that are rated to 22 lbs.). Caregivers may get much more use out of a Convertible seat particularly if the baby is greater than four months old.
Advantages: Easy to use. The infant seat pops in and out of a base unit secured by the seatbelt or LATCH system to the vehicle. Some seats now have harness systems that exceed 22 pounds (to 35 pounds).
Possible Seats: Graco Snug Ride or SafeSeat Infant Carrier; Evenflo Embrace Infant Carrier or Baby Trend Infant Carrier (All seats listed here are infant carriers and should be purchased with a 5-point harness.)
5-point harness straps should be at or below the shoulders. The straps should be snug and comfortable for the child. The harness retainer clip should be at armpit level.
If a child under 1 year weighs more than seat allows, use a convertible seat facing the rear of the car. Look for seats that accommodate higher weight limits. * Note: In addition to keeping your child rear facing at the very least 1 year and 20 pounds, children are best protected if they remain rear facing to the upper height and weight limits of their rear facing seat according to the American Academy of Pediatrics

From 5 lbs. to 45 lbs.

18-24 months Rear-Facing Convertible seat ($55 - $200)

(at the very least

12 months and 20 lbs.)

Advantages: The Convertible seat can be used both rear and forward facing. One child can use the seat for a longer period of time than the rear facing only infant seat.

Possible Seats: Cosco Scenara, Graco Comfort Sport, Evenflo Titan, Evenflo Tribute (All

seats listed here are convertible seats and should be purchased with a 5-point harness.)

5-point harness straps should be at or below the shoulders. The straps should be snug and

comfortable for the child. The harness retainer clip should be at armpit level.

If a child under 1 year weighs more than 20-22 pounds, use a convertible seat facing the rear of

the car. Look for seats that accommodate higher weight limits. * Note: In addition to keeping

your child rear facing to at least 1 year and 20 pounds, children are best protected if they

remain rear facing to the upper height and weight limits of their rear facing seat according to the

American Academy of Pediatrics

20/22 lbs. 40+ lbs.

Forward-Facing Convertible seat

Advantages: The Convertible seat is a good choice for a child that has not yet met the minimum of 1 year and 20 pounds to be kept rear facing. The seat can be used rear facing for the child and turned forward facing for a toddler.
5-point harness straps should be at or above the shoulders. The harness retainer clip should be at armpit level. The straps should be snug and comfortable for the child.
Harness in reinforced slots at or above the shoulders. Most child restraints require the use of a tether. Some seats now have harness systems that exceed 40 pounds

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Office Injury Prevention

Size & Weight Guide for Child Restraints

September, 2011

From To

What You Need to Know when Using and Purchasing a Seat:

Over 1 year 40+ and 20-22 lbs. lbs.

Forward-facing seat only (also known as Combination seat) ($55 - $100)
Advantages: The Forward-Facing Only or Combination seat is an excellent choice if the child has already reached the 1 year and 20 pounds minimum to be turned forward facing. The Combination/Forward-facing only seat can be used with a harness for smaller children and without a harness as a Belt-Positioning Booster for bigger children.
Possible Seats: Cosco High Back Booster, Evenflo Chase Booster, Safety 1st Vantage Booster and Graco CarGo Booster Car Seats.
Keep children in a harness system to the maximum weight limit of the seat. Some seats now have harness systems that exceed 40 pounds.
Harness straps should be at or above the shoulders. The harness retainer clip should be at armpit level. The straps should be snug and comfortable for the child.
Most child restraints require the use of a tether.

40 lbs.

80- Combination seat used as a Belt-Positioning Booster

100

lbs.

The Combination Seat when used without the harness as a Belt-Positioning Booster must be used with

both lap and shoulder belt.

The proper fitting lap/shoulder belt will remain low and snug on the hips/thighs and the shoulder belt

should fit snug crossing the chest and shoulder to avoid abdominal injuries. The child should be able

to stay in this position for the duration of the car trip.

If no rear lap/shoulder belt is available, use a child safety seat with a harness system that accommodates

the child to a higher weight limit or safety vest that can be restrained by the vehicle lap belt.

If no rear lap/shoulder belt is available, you might check with the local vehicle dealership to see if the

vehicle can be retrofitted for lap/shoulder belts.

If no other type of restraint is available, use the lap belt, positioned low on the hips and adjusted snugly.

Over 40 lbs. 80120 lbs.

Belt-Positioning Booster ($15 - $50)
Advantages: A Belt-Positioning Booster can greatly reduce injury in a crash for older children. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2003 indicated that children ages 47 were 59% less likely to sustain injuries in a crash if they were using a belt-positioning booster than children who were simply riding in an adult seat belt.
Possible Seats: Graco Turbo High Back/No Back Booster, Booster, Cosco Pronto High Back Booster, Cosco Ambassador No Back Booster, Evenflo Big Kid (High and No Back) Booster (All seats listed here are Belt-Positioning Booster seats)
Belt Positioning Booster seats must be used with both lap and shoulder belt. The proper fitting lap/shoulder belt will remain low and snug on the hips/thighs and the shoulder belt
should fit snug crossing the chest and shoulder to avoid abdominal injuries. The child should be able to stay in this position for the duration of the car trip. If no rear lap/shoulder belt is available, use a child safety seat with a harness system that accommodates the child to a higher weight limit or safety vest that can be restrained by the vehicle lap belt. If no rear lap/shoulder belt is available, you might check with the local vehicle dealership to see if the vehicle can be retrofitted for lap/shoulder belts. If no other type of restraint is available, use the lap belt, positioned low on the hips and adjusted snugly.

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Size & Weight Guide for Child Restraints

Office Injury Prevention
September, 2011

From

To

What You Need to Know when Using and Purchasing a Seat:

Vehicle safety belt only

For children who pass the 5-Step Test. Depends on vehicle, child's size and behavior.

The 5-Step Test
The child is ready for a safety belt if the answer to every question is "yes". 1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat? 2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat? 3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm? 4. Is the lap belt as low as possible touching the thighs? 5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

Most children do not fit into a seat belt until they are 4'9" tall (approximately at 8-10 years of age)

Birth

160 lbs.

Positioning Devices for Children with Medical Necessity ($125 - $700)
Advantages: These products can provide a safe transportation option in unique medical situations.
Can face the rear or front of the vehicle. A medical professional and/or Children's Medical Services (CMS) may be
able to provide assistance in selecting the correct positioning device for children with special health care needs.

All children under age 13 are best protected in the back seat.
NOTE: Ages and weights are approximate. Manufacturer's instructions should be consulted for exact figures. Use only child restraints with a label stating that the seat is approved for use in motor vehicles. Also, not all child restraints fit in all cars. Try a child restraint in your car before buying it.
Always read the vehicle owners manual to see how to install a child restraint in a specific vehicle seating location.

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Office Injury Prevention Important Tips for Foster Parents about Child Restraints (CR) and Reimbursement
You should always choose the CR that fits the child, fits the vehicle and that you will use correctly and consistently.
Foster parents are reimbursed for the pre-approved purchase of the CR. Foster parents must consult with their Case Manager before purchasing the CR.
Remember, if DFCS has reimbursed you for a CR that CR must remain with the individual child even if the child leaves your care.
Always check the CR you are purchasing to ensure that it is labeled indicating that the CR meets all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
All CRs that are labeled indicating the CR meets the FMVSS must meet or exceed the same standards therefore; price is not the best indicator of a seat's safeness or protection capabilities.
For ease of use look for a CR that offers front harness adjustment, narrow CR base to fit into vehicle, and 5-point harness system instead of a tray shield.
CR may be purchased at area retail stores such as: Babies R Us, K-Mart, Target, Toys-R-Us, WalMart, or specialty baby stores.
It is not recommended to purchase a CR at garage sales or thrift stores. Georgia Law requires that all children under 6 years of age ride in an appropriate CR.
Please call if you have questions regarding child passenger safety or our programs! Injury Prevention Program at injury@dhr.state.ga.us or via phone 404-679-0500
Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Georgia Department of Community Health Program funded by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety
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