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 Seats and Safety

... Brighton Good Toy & Equipment Guide. Car Seats and Safety. CAR SEATS - GENERAL ... size seat. Baby and children's car seats are manufactured according to rigorous safety ...

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CAR SEAT LAWS for United States and Canada

...car seat face forward? and 2) Does my child need to be in a car seat? Read the article from our Newsletter on Babies in Rear-Facing Car Seats...

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AAP - Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families - 2005

...your car on how to correctly install car safety seats. Rear-facing seats ..All infants.....in a car whether they are in their car safety seats or not. Any of the following can.....safety ...

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Child Carseat Safety in Alexandria Virginia

Helps families select and use child car seats for children of all ages. Our services include car seat safety inspections and education on child passenger safety.

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Build a T Car classic replica

Click on picture for Swallow info Don't just be a number ... Drive the classic you've always dreamed of. Evoking memories of a bygone era when motoring really was a pleaure, the timeless ...

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Child Passenger Safety

Visit the link for details.

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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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Racecar 2000 Free race car classifieds auto racing links page

Home Contacting Us Advertise Links Log Off Site Map Classifieds Browse Race Ads Search Race Ads Place an Ad Ad Control Panel Resources Performance Directory Race Car 2000's Links Page Want ...

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Keep Kids Healthy - Children's Car Seat Safety Guide

Browse tips for correctly securing babies, toddlers, and kids in a car seat.

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Child Safety Solutions

Features car seats, high chairs, cribs, and bassinets.

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