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Each year thousands of
young children are killed or injured in car crashes. You can help
prevent this from happening to your child by always using car safety
seats and seat belts correctly.
The information below explains how.
Which
car safety seat is the best?
No one seat is the
"best" or "safest." The best seat is the one that fits your child's
size, is
correctly installed, and is used properly every time you drive. When
shopping for a car
safety seat, keep the following in mind:
Don't base
your decision on price alone. Higher prices can mean added features
that may or may not make the seat safer or easier to use. All car
safety seats available for purchase in the United States must meet
very strict safety standards established and maintained by the
federal government.
When you find
a seat you like, try it out. Put your child in it and adjust the
harnesses and buckles. Make sure it fits properly and securely in
your car. Keep in mind that pictures or displays of car safety seats
in stores may not show them being used the right way.
Important safety
rules
Always use a car safety seat. You
can start with your baby's first ride home from the hospital.
Never place a child in a rear-facing
car safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has a passenger
air bag.
The safest place for all children to
ride is in the back seat.
Set a good example - always wear
your seat belt. Help your child form a lifelong habit of buckling
up.
Remember that each car safety seat
is different. Read and keep the instructions that came with your
seat handy, and follow the manufacturer's instructions at all times.
Read the owner's manual that came
with your car on how to correctly install car safety seats.
If you need help installing your car
safety seat, contact a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS)
Technician. To locate and set up an appointment, call toll-free at
866/SEATCHECK (866/732-8243) or visit
www.seatcheck.org.
Rear-facing seats
All infants should
ride rear-facing until they have reached at least 1 year of age and
weigh at least 20 pounds. That means that if your baby reaches 20 pounds
before her first birthday, she should remain rear-facing until she turns
1.
Infant-only car safety seat |
There are 2
types of rear-facing seats: infant-only seats and convertible seats.
Convertible seats can be used rear-facing for infants, and then
converted to a forward-facing position once the child is old enough and
big enough to do so safely.
Infant-only seats
Small and have carrying handles (sometimes come as part of a
stroller system).
Have a built-in harness that covers the child's upper torso.
Can only be used for infants from birth up to 20 to 30 pounds,
depending on model.
Many come with a detachable base, which can be left in the car.
The seat clicks into and out of the base, which means you don't have
to install it each time you use it.
Convertible seats (used
rear-facing)
Are used rear-facing for infants from birth to at least 1 year
of age and at least 20 to 22 pounds. Can also be used forward-facing
by older children.
Have higher rear-facing weight limits than infant-only seats.
These are ideal for bigger babies.
Have the following 3 types of harnesses:
- 5-point harness - 5 points of attachment: 2 at the
shoulders, 2 at the hips, 1 at the crotch
- Overhead shield - A padded tray-like shield that swings
down over the child
- T-shield - A padded t-shaped or triangle-shaped shield
attached to the shoulder straps
Features to look for in rear-facing seats
Harness slots. Look for seats that come with more than
one harness slot to give your baby room to grow. The harnesses
should be in the slots at or below your baby's shoulders.
Adjustable buckles and shields. Many rear facing seats
have 2 or more buckle positions for growing babies. Many overhead
shields can be adjusted as well.
Other features. Angle indicators (built-in angle
adjusters that help you get the proper recline) and head support
systems are other features that can help you install the seat the
right way.
Forward-facing seat |
Forward-facing seats
Once your child is at least 1 year of age
and at least 20 pounds, he can ride forward-facing. However, it is best
for him to ride rear-facing until he reaches the highest weight or
height limit allowed
by the car safety seat. There are many types of seats that can be used
forward-facing including convertible seats, built in seats, combination
forward-facing/booster seats, and travel vests.
Convertible seats (used forward-facing)
As mentioned previously, convertible
seats can also be used forward-facing by children who are at least 1
year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds. However, if you have used
your convertible seat rear-facing, you need to make the following 3
adjustments before using it forward-facing:
- Move the shoulder straps to the
slots that are at or above your child's shoulders. On many
convertible seats, the top harness slots must be used when the seat
is in the forward-facing position. Check the instructions to be
sure.
- Move the seat from the reclined to
the upright position if required by the manufacturer of the seat.
- Make sure the seat belt runs through
the forward-facing belt path.
When converting
your seat from rear-facing to forward-facing, carefully follow the car
safety seat manufacturer's instructions.
Built-in seats
Built-in seats are available in some cars and vans. Weight and height
limits vary. Read your vehicle owner's manual or contact the
manufacturer for details about how these seats are used.
Combination forward-facing/booster seats
Some car safety seats combine the features of a forward-facing seat and
a booster seat. These seats come with harness straps for children who
weigh up to 40 to 65 pounds (depending on the model). Once your child
reaches the weight or height limit, you can use the seat as a booster by
removing the harness and using your vehicle's lap and shoulder seat
belts. Keep in mind that when using the harness straps, the seat can be
secured with a lap and shoulder belt or a lap-only belt. However, once
you remove the harness, you must use a lap and shoulder seat belt.
Children must never ride in a booster seat using a lap belt only because
serious injury can result.
Travel vests
If your car only has lap belts, a travel vest may be an option. These
can also be used for a child who has outgrown his seat with a harness
but is not yet ready for a booster seat.
Booster
seats
Booster seats do not come with harness
straps but are used with the lap and shoulder seat belts in your
vehicle, the same way
Belt-positioning booster seat |
an adult rides. Your child should stay in a
car safety seat with a harness as long as possible before being allowed
to ride in a booster seat. You can tell when your child is ready for a
booster seat when one of the following is true:
She reaches
the top weight or height allowed for her seat with a harness. (These
measurements are listed on labels on the
seat and are also
included in the instruction booklet that is provided with the car
safety seat.)
Her shoulders
are above the harness slots.
Her ears have
reached the top of the seat.
Booster seats are
designed to raise your child so that the lap and shoulder seat belts fit
properly. This means the lap belt lies low across your child's thighs
and the shoulder belt crosses the middle of your child's chest and
shoulder. Correct belt fit helps protect the stomach, spine, and head
from injury in case of a crash. Both high-back and backless booster
seats are available. Booster seats should be used until your child can
correctly fit in lap and shoulder seat belts.
Seat belts
Your child is ready to
use lap and shoulder seat belts when the belts fit properly.
This means
The shoulder
belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck
or throat.
The lap belt
is low and snug across the thighs, not the stomach.
The child is
tall enough to sit against the vehicle seat back with her legs bent
without slouching and can stay in this position comfortably
throughout the trip.
Remember, seat
belts are made for adults. If the seat belt does not fit your child
correctly, he should stay in a booster seat until the adult seat belts
fit him correctly. This is usually when the child reaches about 4' 9" in
height and is between 8 and 12 years of age.
Other points to
keep in mind when using seat belts
Never tuck
the shoulder belt under the child's arm or behind the back.
If there's
only a lap belt, make sure it's snug and low on the child's thighs,
not across the stomach. Try to get a lap and shoulder belt installed
in your car by a dealer.
Never allow
children or anyone else to "share" seat belts. All passengers must
have their own car safety seats or seat belts.
A warning about seat
belt adjusters
There are products
on the market that claim to make seat belts fit better. They attach to
the seat belt but are not a part of the original belt. These products
may actually interfere with proper lap and shoulder belt fit by causing
the lap belt to ride too high on the stomach and making the shoulder
belt too loose, and may even damage the seat belt itself. No federal
standard ensuring the effectiveness and safety of these after-market
products has been developed. In addition, most vehicle and car safety
seat manufacturers do not recommend their use. Until the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration develops safety standards for
these products, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends they
not be used. As long as children are riding in the correct car safety
seat for their size and age, they do not need to use any additional
devices.
Installing a car safety seat
There are 2 main things to remember when installing a car safety
seat.
Your child must be buckled snugly
into the seat.
The seat must be buckled tightly
into your vehicle.
Ask yourself the
following questions to make sure both are done correctly. If you are not
sure, check the instructions that came with your car safety seat, or
contact a certified CPS Technician for help.
Is the child buckled into the car
safety seat correctly?
Are you using the correct harness slots?
Are the harnesses snug?
Have you placed the plastic harness clip (if your seat comes
with one) at armpit level to hold the shoulder straps in place?
Do the harness straps lie flat?
Is your baby dressed in clothes that allow the straps to go
between the legs? It's OK to adjust the straps to allow for thicker
clothes, but make sure the harness still holds the child snugly.
Also, remember to tighten the straps again after the thicker clothes
are no longer needed.
Is anything under your baby? Tuck blankets around your baby
after adjusting the harness straps snugly. Never place them under
your baby.
Is your child slouching down or to the side? If so, pad the
sides of the seat and between the crotch with rolled up diapers or
blankets.
Is the car safety seat buckled into
the vehicle correctly?
Is the car safety seat facing the right direction for your
child's age and weight?
Is the seat belt routed through the correct belt path?
Is the seat belt buckled tight? If you can move the seat more
than an inch side to side or toward the front of the car, it's not
tight enough.
Is your rear-facing seat reclined enough? Your infant's head
should not flop forward. If it does, tilt the car safety seat back a
little. Your car safety seat may have a built-in recline adjuster
for this purpose. If not, wedge firm padding, such as a rolled
towel, under the base.
Do you need a locking clip? They come with all new car safety
seats. If the seat belts in your car move freely even when buckled,
you need a locking clip. If you're not sure, check the manual that
came with your car. Locking clips are not needed in most newer
vehicles and in vehicles with LATCH. (See "Installation made safer
and easier" below for more information.)
Some lap belts (especially those found in older vehicles) need a
special heavy-duty locking clip. These are only available from the
vehicle manufacturer. Check the manual that came with your car for
more information.
Installation made safer and easier
Child passenger safety
experts have developed several ways to make car safety seat installation
safer and easier, including the following:
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) is an attachment system
that makes installing a car safety seat easier by eliminating the
need to use seat belts to secure the car safety seat. It includes 2
sets of small bars, called anchors, located in the back seat where
the cushions meet. Car safety seats that come with LATCH have a set
of attachments that fasten to these vehicle anchors. Nearly all
passenger vehicles and all car safety seats made on or after
September 1, 2002, come with LATCH. However, unless both your
vehicle and the car safety seat have this anchor system, you will
still need to use seat belts to secure the car safety seat.
A tether
is a strap that attaches a car safety seat to an anchor located on
the rear window ledge, the back of the vehicle seat, or on the floor
or ceiling of the vehicle. Tethers give extra protection by keeping
the car safety seat and the child's head from moving too far forward
in a crash or sudden stop. Tethers should not be confused with LATCH
attachments; the tether is a longer strap at the top of the seat and
LATCH attachments are located at or near the base of the seat. All
new cars, minivans, and light trucks have been required to have
tether anchors since September 2000. Most new forward-facing car
safety seats and a few rear-facing car safety seats come with
tethers. For older car safety seats, tether kits are available. It
is highly recommended that tethers be used because they greatly
improve the protection of your child in the event of a crash. Check
with the car safety seat manufacturer to find out how you can get a
tether for your seat if yours does not have one.
Child
Passenger Safety (CPS) Technicians can help you. If you have
more questions about installing your car safety seat, a certified
CPS Technician may be able to help. A list of certified CPS
Technicians is available by state or ZIP code on the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site at
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/contacts/. A list of
inspection stations- where you can go for help with installation-is
available in both English and Spanish at
www.seatcheck.org or
toll-free at 866/SEATCHECK (866/732-8243). You can also get this
information by calling the toll-free NHTSA Auto Safety Hot Line at
888/DASH-2-DOT (888/327-4236), from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm ET, Monday
through Friday.
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Car
safety seats and shopping carts
Many
infant-only car safety seats lock into shopping carts,
and many stores have shopping carts with built-in infant
seats. This may seem safe but your baby could tip over
or fall out of the cart. Thousands of children are hurt
every year from falling from shopping carts or from the
carts tipping over. Instead of placing your baby's car
safety seat on the cart, consider using a stroller or
frontpack while shopping with your baby. |
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Common questions about car
safety seats
Q: What if my
baby is born prematurely?
A: Use a car safety seat without a shield harness. Shields often are too
high and too far from the body to fit correctly. A small baby's face
could hit a shield in a crash. Premature infants should be observed in
their car safety seats while still in the hospital
to make sure the reclined position does not cause low heart rate, low
oxygen, or breathing problems. If your baby needs to lie flat during
travel, use a crash-tested car bed. If possible, an adult should ride in
the back seat next to your baby to watch him closely.
Q: What if my
baby weighs more than 20 pounds but is not 1 year old yet?
A: Many babies reach 20 pounds well before their first birthday.
However, just because your baby weighs more than 20 pounds does not make
him ready to ride forward facing. Look for a convertible seat that can
be used rear-facing by children who weigh more than 20 pounds.
Q: What if my
child has special health care needs?
A: Children with special health problems may need other restraint
systems. Talk about this with your pediatrician. Easter Seals, Inc has
car safety seat programs for children with special health care needs.
More information is available from Easter Seals, Inc at 800/221-6827.
You also can learn more about transporting children with special needs
by calling the Automotive Safety Program at 317/274-2977 or by visiting
its Web site at
www.preventinjury.org. For more information and a list of car safety
seats available for children with special needs, see the AAP brochure,
Safe Transportation of Children With Special Needs: A Guide for
Families.
Q: What if my
car has air bags?
A: All new cars come equipped with air bags. When used with seat belts,
air bags work very well to protect older children and adults. However,
air bags are very dangerous to children riding in rear-facing car safety
seats and to child passengers who are not properly positioned. If your
car has a passenger air bag, infants in rear-facing seats must ride in
the back seat. Even in a low-speed crash, the air bag can inflate,
strike the car safety seat, and cause serious brain and neck injury and
death.
Toddlers who ride
in forward-facing car safety seats also are at risk from air bag
injuries. All children up to age 13 years are safest in the back
seat. If you must put an older child in the front seat, slide the
vehicle seat back as far as it will go. Make sure your child is properly
restrained for his age and size and stays in the proper position at all
times. This will help prevent the air bag from striking your child.
Air bag on/off
switches are available in the few cases in which an infant must ride in
the front seat. Most families don't need to use the air bag on/off
switch. Air bags that are turned off cannot protect other passengers
riding in the front seat. Air bag on/off switches only should be used if
all of the following are true:
Your child
has special heath care needs.
Your
pediatrician recommends constant supervision of your child during
travel.
No other
adult can ride in the back seat with your child.
On/off switches
also must be used if you have a vehicle with no back seat or a back seat
that is not made for passengers.
Q: What if my
car has side air bags?
A: Side air bags improve safety for adults in side impact crashes.
However, children who are seated near a side air bag may be at risk for
serious injury. Read your vehicle owner's manual for recommendations
that apply to your vehicle.
Q: What if my
car only has lap belts in the back seat?
A: Lap belts work fine with infant-only, convertible, and forward-facing
car safety seats. They cannot be used with booster seats, and they are
not the safest way to buckle older children. If your car only has lap
belts, use a forward-facing car safety seat with a
harness and higher weight limits. Other options are
Check with a
car dealer or the manufacturer of your car to see if shoulder belts
can be installed.
Use a travel
vest (some can be used with lap belts).
Consider
buying another car with lap and shoulder belts in the back seat.
Q. What if I
drive more children than can be buckled safely in the back seat?
A: Avoid having to drive more children than can be buckled safely in the
back seat, especially if your car has passenger air bags. However, if
necessary, a child in a forward facing car safety seat with a harness
may be the best choice to ride in the front seat. This is because a
child who is in a booster seat or using a regular seat belt can easily
move out of position and be at greater risk for injuries from the air
bag.
Q: Can I use a car safety seat on an airplane?
A: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the AAP recommend that
when flying, children should be securely fastened in car safety seats
until 4 years of age, and then should be secured with the airplane seat
belts. This will help keep them safe during takeoff and landing or in
case of turbulence. Most infant, convertible, and forward-facing seats
are certified to be used on airplanes. Booster seats and travel vests
are not certified to be used on airplanes. Check the label on your car
safety seat and call the car safety seat manufacturer before you travel
to be sure your seat meets current FAA regulations.
Q: Can I use a
car safety seat that was in a crash?
A: If the car safety seat was in a moderate or severe crash, it needs to
be replaced. If the crash was minor, the seat does not automatically
need to be replaced. A crash is considered minor if all of the following
are true:
The vehicle
could be driven away from the crash.
The vehicle
door closest to the car safety seat was not damaged.
No one in the
vehicle was injured.
The air bags
did not go off.
You can't see
any damage to the car safety seat.
If you are unsure,
call the manufacturer of the seat. See the resource section for
manufacturer names and phone numbers.
Q: What about
using a used car safety seat?
A: Avoid using used car safety seats, especially if obtained from a yard
sale or secondhand (consignment) shop because there is no way to know
the seat's history. Also never use a car safety seat that
Is too old.
Look on the label for the date it was made. Do not use seats that
are more than 10 years old. Many manufacturers recommend that car
safety seats only be used for 5 to 6 years from the date of
manufacture. Check with the manufacturer to find out how long the
company recommends using its seat.
Has any
visible cracks in the frame of the seat.
Does not
have a label with the date of manufacture and model number.
Without these, you cannot check to see if the seat has been
recalled.
Does not
come with instructions. You need them to know how to use the
seat. You can get a copy of the instruction manual by contacting the
manufacturer.
Is missing
parts. Used car safety seats often come without important parts.
Check with the manufacturer to make sure you can get the right
parts.
Is a
shield booster. Although shield boosters are still around, the
AAP recommends against their use. Major injuries have occurred to
children in shield boosters. The only time shield boosters should be
used is if the shield is removed and the seat is used with a lap and
shoulder belt. (See "Booster seats" on page 8.)
Was
recalled. You can find out by calling the manufacturer or by
contacting the following:
- Auto Safety Hot Line: Toll-free: 888/DASH-2-DOT (888/327-4236),
from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/childseat.cfm
If the seat has
been recalled, be sure to follow the instructions to fix it or to get
the parts you need. You also may get a registration card for future
recall notices from the hotline.
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Don't leave
your child unattended in a car safety seat
Children should never be left alone in a car whether
they are in their car safety seats or not. Any of the
following can happen when a child is left alone in a
vehicle:
Temperatures can reach deadly levels in minutes, and
the child can die of heat stroke.
He can be strangled by power windows, sunroofs, or
accessories.
He can be taken during a car theft or kidnapped from
the vehicle.
He can knock the vehicle into gear, setting it in
motion.
Don't leave your baby unattended in a car safety seat
outside of the vehicle either. When your baby falls
asleep in her car safety seat, it can be tempting to
bring her inside and leave her alone in the seat, but
this can be unsafe. Your baby can fall out of the seat,
or the seat can fall over. And remember, placing the car
safety seat on a shopping cart is unsafe too. The best
place for your baby to sleep is on her back in a safe
crib.
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Always read and follow
manufacturer's instructions
If you do not have
the manufacturer's instructions for your car safety seat, write or call
the company's customer service department. A representative will ask you
for the model number, name of seat, and date of manufacture. The
manufacturer's address and phone number are on the label on the seat.
All products
listed on the following pages meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
213 as of the date of publication. There may be car safety seats
available that are not listed in this brochure. The following
information is current as of the date of publication. Before buying a
car safety seat, check the manufacturer's instructions for important
safety information about proper fitting and use.
Although the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) is not a testing or standard-setting organization,
this guide sets forth the AAP recommendations based on the peer-reviewed
literature available at the time of its publication, and sets forth some
of the factors that parents should consider before selecting and using a
car safety seat. The appearance of the name American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement of the
products listed or the claims made. Phone numbers and Web site addresses
are as current as possible, but may change at any time. Prices are
approximate and may vary. The information contained in this publication
should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of
your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your
pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
Manufacturers names are boldfaced.
|
Infant-only seats |
|
Name |
Harness
Type |
Rear-Facing
Weight Limits |
Height
Limits |
Price |
Baby Trend Latch-Loc
Adjustable Back |
5-point |
5-22
pounds |
28
1/2" |
$80 |
|
Britax Baby Safe |
5-point |
4-22
pounds |
30" |
$299.00 |
|
Britax Companion |
5-point |
4-22
pounds |
30" |
$169.99 |
|
Chicco Key Fit Infant Car Seat |
5-point |
4-22
pounds |
30" |
$140 |
|
COMBI Centre/ST/DX/EX |
5-point |
5-22
pounds |
29" |
$89-$99 |
|
COMBI Connection |
5-point |
5-22
pounds |
29" |
$199.99 |
|
COMBI Tyro Infant Car Seat |
5-point |
22
pounds |
29" |
$129-$149 |
|
Compass
Baby I400 LP Infant Car Seat |
5-point |
4-22
pounds |
30" |
$100-140 |
|
Cosco
Arriva |
5-point |
5-22
pounds |
29" |
$40 |
|
Eddie Bauer Infant Car Seat |
5-point |
5-22
pounds |
29" |
$90-$100 |
|
Eddie Bauer Comfort Infant Car Seat |
5-point |
5-22
pounds |
29" |
$100 |
|
Evenflo Discovery |
3-point |
5-22
pounds |
28" |
$50-$60 |
|
Evenflo Embrace |
5-point |
5-22
pounds |
28" |
$60-$90 |
|
Graco Infant Safe Seat |
5-point |
5-30
pounds |
32" |
$129-$169 |
|
Graco SnugRide |
3-point
5-point |
5-22
pounds |
29" |
$69-$120 |
| Peg
Perego Primo Viaggio |
5-point |
22
pounds |
30" |
$179-$199 |
|
Safety 1st Designer 22 |
5-point |
5-22
pounds |
29" |
$60-$80 |
|
Safety 1st First Ride DX |
5-point |
5-22
pounds |
29" |
$50 |
|
Safety 1st Starter |
5-point |
5-22
pounds |
29" |
$60 |
|
Convertible seats |
|
Name |
Harness Type |
Rear-Facing
Weight Limits/
Height Limits |
Forward-Facing
Weight Limits/
Height Limits |
Price |
|
Britax
Boulevard |
5-point |
5-33
pounds |
20-65
pounds
27" - 49" |
$289.99 |
|
Britax
Decathlon |
5-point |
5-33
pounds |
20-65
pounds
27" - 49" |
$269.99 |
|
Britax
Roundabout with Latch |
5-point |
5-33
pounds |
20-40
pounds
27"-40" |
$199.99 |
|
Britax
Marathon |
5-point |
5-33
pounds |
20-65
pounds
27"-49" |
$249.99 |
|
COMBI
Avatar |
5-point |
5-30
pounds |
20-40
pounds |
$179-$199 |
Cosco
Alpha Omega
(rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster) |
5-point
|
5-35
pounds
and 36" |
22-40
pounds and 43" with harness;
40-80 pounds and 52" as booster |
$140 |
Cosco
Alpha Omega Elite
(rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster) |
5-point |
5-35
pounds and 36" |
20-40
pounds and 40" with harness;
30-100 pounds and 52" as booster |
$150-$160 |
|
Cosco
Scenera/DX |
5-point
Overhead shield |
5-35
pounds and 36" |
22-40
pounds and 43" |
$50-$70 |
|
Cosco
Touriva/Regal Ride |
5-point
|
5-35
pounds and 36" |
22-40
pounds and 43" |
$40-$70 |
|
Eddie
Bauer 3-in-1 (rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster) |
5-point |
5-35
pounds and 36" |
22-40
pounds and 43" with harness;
40-80 pounds and 52" as booster |
$170 |
|
Eddie
Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat (rear-facing,
forward-facing, or booster) |
5-point
Overhead shield |
5-35
pounds and 36" |
20-40
pounds and 40" with harness
30-100 pounds and 52"as booster |
$170-$180 |
|
Evenflo
Titan 5 |
5-point
|
5-30
pounds |
20-40
pounds |
$60-$70 |
|
Evenflo
Tribute 5/DLX |
5-point
Overhead shield |
5-30
pounds |
20-40
pounds |
$50-$60 |
|
Evenflo
Triumph 5/DLX |
5-point |
5-30
pounds |
20-40
pounds |
$120-$140 |
|
Graco
ComfortSport |
5-point
|
30 pounds |
20-40
pounds and 40" |
$69-$120 |
|
Lenox
TattleTale Smart Child Seat |
5-point |
5-33
pounds
19"-32" |
20-40
pounds and 29"-40" |
$209-$259 |
|
Safety
1st Enspira (rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster) |
5-point
|
5-35
pounds 36" |
22-40
pounds and 43" with harness
40-80 pounds and 52" as booster |
$100 |
|
Safety
1st Intera |
5-point |
5-35
pounds 36" |
22-40
pounds and 43" with harness
40-100 pounds and 57" as booster |
$140 |
|
Sunshine Kids Radian Car Seat |
5-point |
5-33
pounds |
65 pounds
and 49" |
$199 |
|
Tripleplay Products Sit n' Stroll |
5-point |
5-30
pounds |
20-40
pounds |
$200 |
|
Combination seats |
|
(Can be used with
5-point harness or as belt-positioning booster.) |
| Name |
Weight Limits/
Height Limits
With Harness |
Weight Limits/
Height Limits as
Belt Positioner |
Price |
|
Cosco High Back Booster |
22-40
pounds
43" |
40-80
pounds
52" |
$50 |
|
Cosco Summit |
22-40
pounds
43" |
40-100
pounds
52" |
$90-$100 |
|
Cosco Ventura DX |
22-40
pounds
43" |
40-80
pounds
52" |
$60 |
|
Eddie Bauer Comfort High Back Booster, Deluxe |
22-40
pounds
43" |
40-100
pounds
52" |
$80-$120 |
|
Eddie Bauer High Back Booster |
22-40
pounds
43" |
40-80
pounds
52" |
$80 |
|
Evenflo Express, Chase, Traditions, Vision |
20-40
pounds |
30-100
pounds
54" |
$50-$70 |
|
Evenflo Generations, Bolero |
20-40
pounds |
30-100
pounds
57" |
$70-$100 |
|
Graco Platinum/Treasured/Ultra CarGo |
20-40
pounds
27"-43" |
30-100
pounds
35"-54" |
$69-$99 |
|
Lenox TattleTale Smart Child seat |
20-40
pounds
29"-40" |
40-80
pounds
35"-57" |
$259 |
|
Recaro Young Sport |
18-40
pounds
27"-40" |
30-80
pounds
37"-59" |
$249 |
|
Safety 1st Apex 65 |
20-65
pounds
52" |
40-100
pounds
57" |
$130 |
|
Safety 1st Vantage Point, Surveyor |
22-40
pounds
43" |
40-100
pounds
52" |
$70-$80 |
|
Forward-facing
seats/restraints |
|
Name |
Harness Type |
Weight Limits |
Height Limits |
Price |
|
Britax
Regent |
5-point |
22-80
pounds |
19"-53" |
$239.99 |
|
Graco
Toddler Safe Seat |
5-point |
20-40
pounds |
27"-43" |
$129-$169 |
|
SafeGuard Child Seat |
5-point |
22-65
pounds |
57" |
$429 |
|
Booster seats |
|
Name |
Type |
Weight Limits |
Height Limits
(when available) |
Price |
|
Baby
Trend Recaro |
High back |
30-80
pounds |
37"-59" |
$349 |
|
Britax
Bodyguard |
High back |
40-100
pounds |
43"-60" |
$129.99 |
|
Britax
Parkway Booster |
High back |
30-100
pounds |
38"-60" |
$99.99 |
|
Britax
Starriser Comfy |
High back |
30-80
pounds |
33"-53" |
$89.99 |
|
COMBI
Dakota |
Backless |
33-100
pounds |
33"-57" |
$39-$59 |
|
COMBI
Kobuk |
High back |
33-100
pounds |
33"-57" |
$79-$89 |
|
Compass
Baby B500LP Folding Booster Car Seat |
High back |
30-100
pounds |
38"-57" |
$75-$90 |
|
Cosco
High Rise, Ambassador |
Backless |
30-100
pounds |
57" |
$15-$20 |
|
Cosco
Protek |
High back
Backless |
30-100
pounds |
57" |
$30-$40 |
|
Cosco
Select Ride |
High back |
40-80
pounds |
52" |
$30 |
|
Cosco
Traveler |
High back |
30-80
pounds |
52" |
$20 |
|
Cosco
Voyager |
High back |
40-80
pounds |
52" |
$20-$25 |
|
Evenflo
Big Kid Deluxe/LX, Everest |
High back
Backless |
30-100
pounds
40-100 pounds |
57" |
$40-$80 |
|
Evenflo
Big Kid No Back |
Backless |
40-100
pounds |
57" |
$15 |
|
Evenflo
Sightseer/Barbie/Hot Wheels |
High back |
30-100
pounds |
37"-54" |
$30-$40 |
|
Graco
My CarGo |
High back |
30-100
pounds |
35"-54" |
$40 |
|
Graco
TurboBooster |
High back
Backless |
30-100
pounds
40-100 pounds |
38"-57"
40"-57" |
$50-$80
$20 |
|
LaRoche
Grizzly Bear Booster |
High back |
40-100
pounds |
36"-57" |
$119 |
|
LaRoche
Polar Bear Booster |
High back |
30-100
pounds |
33"-57" |
$129 |
|
LaRoche
Teddy Bear Booster |
High back |
30-80
pounds |
33"-54" |
$109 |
|
Recaro
Start |
High back |
30-80
pounds |
59" |
$349 |
|
Recaro
Young Style |
High back |
30-80
pounds |
59" |
$149 |
|
Safety
Angel Ride Ryte |
High back
Backless |
30-100
pounds
40-100 pounds |
33"-54" |
$70-$75
$45-$48 |
|
Travel vests |
|
Name |
Weight Limits/Age Limits |
Price |
|
E-Z-On
Vest |
20-168
pounds |
$120 |
|
E-Z-On
Modified Vest |
20-100
pounds
2-12 years of age |
$120-$140 |
|
E-Z-On
86Y Harness |
66-168
pounds |
$60-$80 |
E-Z-On
Kid Y Harness
(must be used with the Ride Ryte booster) |
30-80
pounds |
$48-$52 |
|
RideSafer Travel Vest |
35-60
pounds small vest (3-6 years)
50-80 pounds large vest (5-9 years) |
$99.99 |
|
Safety
1st Tote 'n Go DX |
25-40
pounds with harness |
$20 |
| Built-in
(integrated) seats |
|
Built-in
or integrated child safety seats are available on selected
models from some motor vehicle manufacturers. Check with the
manufacturers for specifics.
|
Although the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is not a testing or standard
setting organization, this guide sets forth the AAP recommendations
based on the peer-reviewed literature available at the time of its
publication, and sets forth some of the factors that parents should
consider before selecting and using a car safety seat.
The appearance of the name American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not
constitute a guarantee or endorsement of the products listed or the
claims made. Phone numbers and Web site addresses are as current as
possible, but may change at any time.
Prices are approximate and may vary.
The information contained in this publication should not be used as a
substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There
may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend
based on individual facts and circumstances.
Photographs courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration.
|
