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.

National SAFE KIDS Campaign: Promoting child safety to prevent

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign promotes fire safety, car safety and home safety to both adults and children. Their mission is to prevent the number...

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Don's Car Seat Page

Outline guide to child passenger safety on the web.

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Car Seat Safety With Winter Coats For Baby- Winter Coats and Car Seat

Car seats and winter coats can be a dangerous combination for babies. How can you tell if your baby's winter coat or infant snowsuit can safely be used in a car seat? Learn an important car ...

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Children's Car Seat Safety Guide

...be sitting in a booster seat. General Car Seat Safety Tips: All children under 12 years.....Car Seat Safety Guide. Learn to avoid the factors.....this page to a friend.. Main > Safety ...

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NHTSA - Child Passenger Safety

Review tips and download brochures about air bags, car seats, and safety standards. From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. Safe Ride Helpline

Safe Ride Helpline for Child Passenger Safety. SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. is the national non-profit organization dedicated to child passenger safety. ... Boosters & Belt Fit. Car Seat ...

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Child Carseat Safety FAQ

Home | Forums | Carseat Basics | FAQ | LATCH | Free Carseat Inspection | Site Index Car-Safety.Org Carseat FAQ The recommendations in this list are based on current best practice in the ...

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Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. De

... Opportunities Child Safety Seat Information Crash Tests ... Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards International Activities ... Records System Traffic Safety Materials & ...

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seatcheck

Finds car seat inspection stations by state or zip code. Also provides a recall list, tips and brochures.

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EDDIE BAUER | Eddie Bauer Car Seat

...Eddie Bauer.. Eddie Bauer's convertible car seat is designed for safety, comfort.....Perego .. baby car seat.. Combi .. baby car seat.. Other Brands .. baby car seat.. ...

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