FAQs : Booster Car Seats

Booster Car Seat FAQs

Experts recommend children should remain in a harness system car seat as long as possible. When children have outgrown their toddler seat, they should transition to a belt-positioning booster until they are at least 57" tall and 80 lbs. All Dorel Juvenile Group car seats meet or exceed all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.

How do I know if my child’s car seat is installed properly?

Parents should carefully read the car seat''s instruction manual and the vehicle''s owner manual for proper installation and usage information. We recommend that parents consult with a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Technician to determine if their child''s seat is properly installed. Visit http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm to access the Child Passenger Safety Contact locator. Type in your zip code and you''ll receive contact information for a Child Safety Seat Inspection Station in your area.

Is a booster seat really necessary? My child is six years old. Aren’t seat belts sufficient?

Vehicle seat belts are designed to fit adults. Booster car seats boost the child to properly position the vehicle seat belt. It is important that the lap belt is positioned low on the hips, touching the thighs and the shoulder belt centered on the chest and over the shoulder. According to a study by the Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia, booster seats reduce the risk of injury by 59% and risk of death by 28% compared to restraining children with vehicle seat belts without a booster car seat.

It seems many states have recently adopted much stricter booster seat laws than previously on record. Why?

Although each state has specific guidelines on car safety for children (see the Booster Seat Laws Map for a state-by-state listing), experts agree that children should ride in a car seat or booster seat until they are at least 57" tall and 80lbs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and disability for children age 4 to 8 - a startling statistic that is compelling communities across the country to adopt no-nonsense policies around child safety on the road.

My child is not yet 4 years old or 40 lbs. What car seat should I use?

Children should remain in a harness system as long as possible. Use your child's car seat until applicable height and weight limits are reached to take full advantage of the internal harness system it provides. Some seats now have internal harness systems that accommodate children up to 65 lbs.

My child is too old for a booster seat. Is it safe for her to now ride in the front seat?

As a general rule of thumb, any child under 13 years old should sit in the back seat and always be buckled up. Be sure anyone with whom your child is riding is aware of the rule.

What types of booster seats are there? And which one is best for my child?

Booster seats come in several varieties - high back, backless, and harnessed. There are also "all-in-one" seats that can be used from five to 100 lbs.

High-back and backless belt-positioning boosters; "boost" the child, helping to properly position the vehicle''s lap/shoulder belt.

Harnessed boosters; use an internal harness restraint system to secure the child. As the child grows, the harness system can be removed - with the seat converting then to the belt-positioning mode.

All-in-one car seats: literally grow along with the child. They can be used in both rear- and forward-facing positions and later as a belt-positioning booster.

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