Recommendations for Safety Restraints for Children
Child size, height, weight, or
age
Recommended
restraint type
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
211
2011 Explorer
(exp)
Owners Guide, 4th Printing
USA
(fus)