Each car seat must be installed with the lower anchorages or a seat belt to hold it in place, never both. If you decide to install your car seat with a seat belt, pay close attention to how you “lock” your seat belt according to the vehicle owner`s manual. For a forward-facing car seat, use a rope if available. Before installing your car seat, make sure you understand the function and location of the vehicle and car seat parts used during installation. Your child`s safety could be compromised if your car seat is not properly installed. Before installing your car seat, make sure you know the vehicle and car seat parts used in the installation process and these important installation safety tips. Children who are not optimally protected have a higher risk of injury, even if they comply with state laws. Consider using your state`s car seat law as an absolute minimum, and then go above and beyond for the best possible protection. Car Seat Finder is an easy-to-use tool that allows you to compare seats and ease of use to find the right car seat for your child.
Simply enter your child`s age, height, and weight above, and you`ll get types of car seats that suit your child. Before you begin, make sure you know the four types of car seats and NHTSA`s recommendations for choosing the right type of seat for your child. This is the most up-to-date list of state car seat laws. Annual update so you can know the local car seat laws by state to maximize vehicle safety for your kids. Follow your car seat manufacturer`s instructions to find out when and how to use the rope for your particular seat. NHTSA recommends always using a rope with a forward-facing car seat installed with your vehicle`s seat belt OR lower anchorages, as long as it is approved by both the car seat and the vehicle manufacturer. IMPORTANT: Both installation methods are designed to work with the rope to achieve maximum safety for child seats attached to forward-facing car seats. Ohio`s law was updated in 2009.
It requires children under the age of four and under 40 pounds to ride in a car seat or booster seat appropriate for the age and weight of the child. The car seat must be used according to the manufacturer`s instructions. Registering your seat makes sense: it gives the manufacturer the opportunity to inform you about recalls and safety instructions. It`s also very simple: just send the card that came with your child seat or fill out a simple form on the manufacturer`s website. The fit is defined as a low lap belt tight on the hips, a shoulder harness in the middle of the chest and shoulders, the back and hips against the vehicle seat without bending, knees bent on the edge of the seat and feet flat on the floor and can remain in this position throughout the trip. Car seats and pressure increases provide protection for infants and children in the event of an accident, but car accidents are one of the leading causes of death among children aged 1 to 13. That`s why it`s so important to choose and use the right car seat every time your child is sitting in the car. Follow these important steps to choose the right seat, install it correctly, and protect your child. The full list of the state`s car seat laws can be found below.
You`ll also find information about phrases that often appear in laws and what they might mean for you and your baby. Colorado`s law was updated in 2010 and requires infants to ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are one year old and weigh at least 20 pounds. Florida Car Seats Act Latest revision/update 10/10/2020 (a 2019 bill to update the state`s Car Seat Act failed) Georgian law requires children under the age of 8 to board a state-approved car seat or booster seat appropriate for that child`s height and weight. These children must be in the back seat unless they are taller than 57 inches, and their car seat or booster seat must be installed and used according to the manufacturer`s instructions. North Carolina law requires all children under the age of 8 and under 80 pounds to ride in a properly operated car seat or booster seat. Children can be fastened to a seat belt when they are 8 or 80 pounds, whichever comes first. Rhode Island law states that children under the age of 8 weighing less than 80 pounds and measuring less than 57 inches must be properly secured to the back seat in an approved car seat or booster seat. All passengers over 8 years of age must be properly restrained. Children over 8 years of age who are not yet properly wearing their seat belts may continue to use a booster seat.
New Mexico law requires that all children under the age of 18 be properly restrained in a car seat, booster seat or seat belt. The Act also sets out three age-based requirements. Children between the ages of four and seven who are less than 4`9″ tall must ride in a state-approved booster seat. Children up to the age of 15 must wear a seat belt or be restrained in an appropriate child restraint. The fine can be up to $75 per violation. The laws governing car seats and booster seats are set by each state in the United States. This can be confusing for parents and caregivers who frequently travel between states, or for families who move to another state. Car seat and booster seat laws are also updated occasionally, so if you haven`t looked at the requirements in a few years, they may be completely different than what you`ve used for an older child. Children between the ages of four and eight must be in a booster seat (unless they are always seated in a seated car seat), unless they are taller than 4`9″ or weigh more than 65 pounds.