Car Seats

This passage describes the proper use of car seats for children.

Lexile Level: 1150L

Categories: People & Places

Any time you are traveling in a car with children it is important to keep them safe. One common mistake parents make is using car safety seats that are not the correct size. Infant car seats are for babies to the age of one year who weigh twenty pounds or less. The seat should face the back of the car. Once a baby weighs over twenty pounds and is more than a year old, it is considered safe to use a seat that faces forward, though some people still prefer rear-facing seats. Once a child weighs over forty pounds, he or she can use a booster seat. A booster seat is appropriate until the child weighs at least eighty pounds and is four feet, nine inches tall. At this point a child can probably use regular car seats, though it is important to check to see that both the shoulder and waist belts fit appropriately.