| If a child is using either a toddler only car seat, or a | | | | are generally cheaper than high back car seats, and |
| 'convertible' infant/toddler car seat, its time to transition | | | | are easier to move from can to car, but should only be |
| the child into a booster car seat when he or she has | | | | used in cars with headrests and high seat backs. |
| outgrown the existing car seat restraints (usually at | | | | High back car seats are often available with a 5 point |
| about 40 pounds), but is not yet ready for just seat | | | | harness (when car seats are not being used with a |
| belts (the minimum height recommended for a child to | | | | harness, they are considered being used in the "belt |
| start using just seat belts is 4'9"). Booster car seats | | | | positioning" mode). Using a harness is generally the |
| can typically accommodate a child from 30 to 100 | | | | safest way to restrain a child, and it is recommended |
| pounds (usually 4 to 8 years of age). Child car seat | | | | that, if a harness is used, it be used until the child |
| manufacturers are bound by very strict guidelines, and | | | | outgrows it (usually at about 40 pounds). There are |
| you may be surprised to find that some of the more | | | | also 'convertible' toddler/booster child car seats |
| expensive car seats don't provide any better level of | | | | available. These car seats can be used for children |
| protection than those which are more moderately | | | | from the time they are ready to start using a toddler |
| priced. | | | | car seat until they are ready to start using just the car |
| Many State laws require children to be in a safety car | | | | seats belts. |
| seat only up to age 4 or so, and many parents | | | | Booster car seats are designed to raise the child up |
| assume that children who are older than this will be | | | | so that the lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly. Belt |
| safely restrained by just an adult safety belt. This, | | | | positioning car seats must always be used with a car's |
| however, is not the case. An automobile's seat belt | | | | lap and shoulder belt (never with a lap only belt). The |
| system is designed for use by adults, not small children, | | | | car seat will raise a child so the lap belt goes over the |
| and it usually will not fit a child properly. A booster car | | | | child's pelvis and hips (instead of his or her abdomen), |
| seat is designed to improve the fit of the vehicle's | | | | and the shoulder belt crosses the middle of the child's |
| safety belt system across the child's body, for greater | | | | chest and shoulder (the car seat may have a clip that |
| comfort and safety. (A booster car seat should never | | | | can be adjusted to ensure that the shoulder belt does |
| be positioned in front of an air bag, as deployment of | | | | not cross the child's face or neck). |
| the bag can cause serious (even fatal) injuries to a | | | | Where to Shop: |
| child.) | | | | GalaxyOfStores is an Online Shopping Center for |
| Booster car car seats are available with either a "high | | | | THOUSANDS of different products for the whole |
| back" or a "low back". High back car seats should | | | | family. |
| always be used in cars without headrests, or with low | | | | Please visit CHILD CAR SEATS for more information |
| seats, both to provide the child with a comfortable | | | | about car seats, as well as a great selection of car |
| place to rest his or her head, and to provide protection | | | | seats, strollers, and travel systems, and visit the HOME |
| against "whiplash" in an accident. Low back car seats | | | | PAGE for all of its great products. |