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.

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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Baby car seat buying guide. Protect your child with safety car seats

We highly recommend the Roundabout Car Seat from Britax Child Safety Inc. for all infants weighing up to 40 pounds.

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National SAFE KIDS Campaign: Promoting child safety to prevent...

Promoting child safety to prevent unintentional injury.

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child safety car seats

...How to find child safety car seats. Tips on choosing child safety car.....seats.....Rest easy with child safety car seats.. Home :: Child Safety Car Seats.....a car seat. How do I choose ...

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Child Product Safety

Resource for child product safe issues, including recalled toys, car seats and infant items. Produced by the Office of the Arkansas Attorney General.

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ODI - Office of Defects Investigation

...June 30, 1993.. Noncompliance:  These child safety seats do not meet the impact release.....it harder to remove the child from the car seat. These seats do not comply with ...

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Child Car Seats : RoSPA : Carrying Children Safely

...The Law | Safety Standards | Types of Child Seats | Choosing and Using Child Seats.....on purchasing, fitting and using child car restraints, along with links to..

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Child, Infant, Booster Car Seats and Travel System Strollers

...say that most parents install their child's car seats incorrectly. If you'd like to know.....on car seats? Visit our friends at www.Car-Safety.org. Which seat will fit in your ...

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Virtual Children's Hospital: CQQA: Car Seats/ Child Safety Seats

Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers Car Seats/ Child Safety Seats Donna D'Alessandro, M.D. Lindsay Huth, B.A. Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed Creation Date: October 2001 Last ...

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Child Passenger Safety

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