The Britax Roundabout, a popular convertible car seat.

All About Car Seats

There are three main types of car seats on the market today. First, the infant car seat is designed for the youngest of children, up to 20 or 22 pounds. Most of these seats have two parts, the base which stays strapped in to the vehicle's safety belt system and the carrier which snaps out and allows the baby to be carried without unfastening the infant from the harness (very important if Baby has finally fallen asleep!) The infant car seats are designed to be rear-facing, where the infant faces the rear of the vehicle. It is important for infants to be seated rear facing for the first year of life, until the muscles of the neck are strong enough to withstand the force an accident could impose on them.

A second type of car seat is called the convertible seat, and is designed for newborns through toddlers, or up until 40 pounds. This seat is designed to be used rear-facing for the first year of life, or up until the weight restrictions (usually 30 pounds). After this, the seat can face forward until the child reaches the upper weight limit, usually 40 pounds, although some car seats can be used longer. The most popular type of harness system for infants and toddlers is the five-point system, where the child is clipped by a series of three clips designed to evenly disperse the force of impact. The five-point system is highly recommended, although other systems (such as the three-point or overhead bar) may still be available.

After the child graduates from the convertible seat, it's time for a booster seat. These seats no longer use a separate harness system, the child and seat are both strapped directly into the vehicle's seat belt. The booster is designed to raise the child up in the seat so the vehicle's harness can function correctly. Booster seats should be used until the child is 80 pounds, at which time the child will be ready for the use of the regular seat belt. While some boosters are rated for children as light as 30 pounds, it is important to keep children in the 5-point restraint systems for as long as possible.

Car Regulation Safety Seat

...tested 20 top-selling car seats. Car seats ... As things stand, the EU regulation.....2 to 8) ... child out of his car seat or booster too soon. Though safety-seat laws.....belting ...

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California Car Regulation Seat

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ODI - Office of Defects Investigation

NHTSA is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. ... Booster Car Seats. Production Dates: February 1995 - July 10, 1998. Defect: ...

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Canada Car Regulation Seat

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Car Seat Recalls

Check out this list of recalled car seats to make sure that your child is riding safely. ... Booster Seats. Production Dates: Booster seat built prior to January 31, 1997. Defect:This is ...

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Recaro Start Booster Seat - Recaro is considered "Top of the Line

...only), approved to ECE Regulation No. ... is that it is stable and won't fall over, like many booster seats do. ... Qty: Elite Car Seats 3225...

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Child Car Seats : RoSPA : Choosing and Using Child Seats : Common...

Car Seat The shape of car seats varies between different models. For instance, some rear seats ... meets the United Nations standard Regulation 44...

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Europcar Südafrika: Autovermietung für Südafrika - Mietkonditionen

Terms and Conditions Europcar Additional Services Valid: 1 November 2001 31 October 2002 Vehicles are rented subject to Europcar s standard terms and conditions as reflected on the Europcar ...

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New Baby Seat Safety Features, Tether Straps and LATCH Systems - Child

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Child Car Seats : RoSPA : Safety Standards

Advanced Search ECE R44.03 Child restraints (baby seats, child seats, booster seats and booster cushions) sold in the UK must conform to the United Nations Regulation R44.03. ISOFIX ISOFIX ...

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