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Child Safety Seat Size and Weight Guide--A quick reference
*The safest car seat is the one that fits your child and the vehicle the best. Always refer to the instructions provided with the car seat and with the vehicle manual.
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BIRTH TO ONE YEAR OLD & OVER 20 POUNDS (REAR FACING) |
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| A. Infant-Only Seat (Birth to 20/22 pounds) |
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| B. Convertible Seat (Birth to 22/30 pounds) (Rear Facing) | |
| ü Seat is NOT in the front seat with a passenger side airbag | |
| ü Seat is rear facing | |
| ü Seat reclines 45 degrees | |
| ü Shoulder harness threaded at or below shoulder level | |
| ü Harness tightened so that you can only slip one finger under it at collarbone level | |
| ü Harness clip at armpit level | |
| ü Vehicle free of unsecured items. Loose items such as tools, toys, packages, and other things commonly thrown in the car can cause great harm to a child during a crash. Secure or remove all such items. | |
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ONE YEAR OLD AND 20 TO 40 POUNDS |
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| C. Convertible Seat |  |
| D. Forward Facing Only Seat (High Back Booster with Harness--weight will vary according to manufacturer's instructions) | |
| ü Seat is facing forward | |
| ü Seat is fully upright | |
| ü Shoulder harness threaded in upper slots above shoulder level | |
| ü Harness clips at armpit level | |
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OVER FORTY POUNDS |
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BELT POSITIONING BOOSTER |
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| E. High Back (with shoulder harness removed) | |
| F. Low Back | |
| ü Used with vehicle lap and shoulder belts | |
| ü Lap belt should fit low and tight across thighs | |
| ü Shoulder belt should cross the collar bone and center of chest | |
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CHECK FOR THE MOST COMMON DANGEROUS ERRORS |
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| ü History of the hand-me-down or seats not bought brand new not known |
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| ü Rear-facing infant in front seat with a passenger-side airbag | |
| ü Baby under 1 year and 20 pounds facing forward | |
| ü Harness system missing, not buckled, too loose, or under arms | |
| ü Safety belt not buckled, too loose or in wrong belt path | |
| ü Seat moves more than one inch laterally or forward | |
| ü Locking clip not used | |
| ü Child moved to booster too soon | |
| ü Child under age 13 in front seat with an air bag | |
| ü Seats must be replaced after any crash | |
