Recommendations for Safety Restraints for Children
Child size, height, weight, or age
Recommended
restraint type
Infants or
toddlers
Children weighing 40 lb (18 kg) or less
(generally age four or younger)
Use a child safety
seat (sometimes
called an infant
carrier,
convertible seat,
or toddler seat).
Small
children
Children who have outgrown or no
longer properly fit in a child safety
seat (generally children who are less
than 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 meters) tall,
are greater than age four (4) and less
than age twelve (12), and between
40 lb (18 kg) and 80 lb (36 kg) and
upward to 100 lb (45 kg) if
recommended by your child restraint
manufacturer)
Use a
belt-positioning
booster seat.
Larger
children
Children who have outgrown or no
longer properly fit in a belt-positioning
booster seat (generally children who
are at least 4 feet 9 inches
(1.45 meters) tall or greater than 80 lb
(36 kg) or 100 lb (45 kg) if
recommended by child restraint
manufacturer)
Use a vehicle
safety belt having
the lap belt snug
and low across
the hips, shoulder
belt centered
across the
shoulder and
chest, and
seatback upright.
•
You are required by law to properly use safety seats for infants and
toddlers in the U.S. and Canada.
•
Many states and provinces require that small children use approved
booster seats until they reach age eight, a height of 4 ft 9 in.
(1.45 meters) tall, or 80 lb (36 kg). Check your local and state or
provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety of
children in your vehicle.
•
When possible, always properly restrain children twelve (12) years of
age and under in a rear seating position of your vehicle. Accident
statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seating positions than in a front seating position.
Seating and Safety Restraints
169
2011 MKS
(mks)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA
(fus)
