Booster Seat 101:  Frequently Asked Questions
  • When is my child ready for a booster seat?
    Many children between the ages of four and eight are well suited for a booster seat; however, your child’s age, weight and height should all be factored in when choosing a car seat. We recommend that children – weighing 40 to 80 pounds (and under 4’ 9” tall) – be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat.
  • Is a booster seat really necessary? My child is six years old; aren’t lap belt restraints sufficient?
    Children four to eight years are ill-suited for lap belt restraints which can potentially cause life-threatening injury to young children during an accident. A booster seat, used with a lap/shoulder seat belt, however, reduces this risk by ensuring that the vehicle seat belt is properly positioned across the child’s lap and chest. According to the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, belt-positioning booster seats are shown to cut the risk of injury in motor-vehicle accidents in half – compared to a collision wherein a child four to seven years is restrained by vehicle seat belts alone.
  • 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 convertible seats that can be used from five to 100 pounds. Just as the names imply, high-back and backless belt-positioning boosters “boost” the child, helping to properly position the vehicle’s lap/shoulder belt. Harnessed boosters, on the other hand, use an internal harness restraint system to secure the child. And as the child grows, the harness system can be removed – with the seat converting then to the belt-positioning mode. Convertible 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. Some models may also offer a fourth mode as a backless booster for older children. Your child’s age, weight and height will determine which seat (or mode) is best.
  • My child is not yet 4 years old or 40 pounds. What car seat should I use?
    Children should be secured in a rear-facing infant or convertible seat with internal harness until they are at least one year old AND 20 pounds. Many convertible seats can be used rear-facing up to 35 pounds. Toddlers 20 to 40 pounds should be secured in a convertible seat, in the forward-facing position, or a high-back booster seat with an internal harness. Some seats now have internal harness systems that accommodate children up to 65 lbs.
  • I’m ready to convert my child’s car seat to a booster seat. Should I still use the tether strap with the booster seat?
    No. The vehicle lap/shoulder belt should be used to belt in the child and the child restraint.
  • Should I install my child’s car seat with both a latch/tether system AND the vehicle seatbelt?
    No. The latch and tether are designed for use instead of the vehicle seat belts.
  • How do I know if my child’s car seat is installed properly?
    We recommend that parents consult with a certified child passenger safety technician to determine if their child’s seat is properly installed. Visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov 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. In addition, parents should carefully read the car seat’s instruction manual and the vehicle’s owner manual for proper installation and usage information.
  • 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 (visit www.getonboardwithsafety.com for a state-by-state listing), most agree that booster seats can no longer be just a ‘one to two year’ solution. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and disability for children age four to eight – a startling statistic that is compelling communities across the country to adopt no-nonsense policies around child safety on the road.
  • My child is too old for a booster seat. Is it safe for her to now ride in the front seat?
    As a general ‘house’ rule, 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 isaware of the rule.