Children between the ages of 3 and 4 who are at least 40 pounds are good candidates for booster seats as long as the lap and shoulder belt fits properly when the child is seatedthe child should be able to sit comfortably for the entire trip without altering his position by sitting on his knees or leaning forward. Except for florida and south dakota all us states and the district of columbia and puerto rico require children who do not properly fit into adult seat. All children whose weight or height exceeds the forward facing limit for their car safety seat should use a belt positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years of age. But every child and every car is different so make sure your vehicles seat belt fits the child in question before ditching that booster seat. Is my 4 year old who weighs 40 pounds big enough to ride in a booster seat. Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward facing seats.
Since laws regarding the childs height weight and age vary by state be sure to use the map above to find laws applying to your state. Car seats and boosters provide protection for infants and children in a crash yet car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. Thats why its so important to choose and use the right car seat correctly every time your child is in the car. Children over 12 or more than 135cm. Most booster seats require children to be at least 4 years of age and 40 pounds to use them. In this state all children who weigh less than 80 pounds or are under eight years of age need to be in a booster seat or appropriate car seat.
The state also recommends that they stay in a booster seat until they are 100 pounds in weight or 49 in height although this is not mandatory. Car seat laws in iowa set specific standards for certain age groups with weight or height restrictions also considered within the law. Please check the label and instruction manual of the booster seat. Are at least 4 years old and at least 35 inches 88 cm tall. That usually happens between the ages of 10 and 12 when the child is close to five feet tall or 120 pounds. Does my older child still need to use a booster seat.
However it is safest to keep kids in harnessed car seats as long as possible. Booster seat laws are incorporated into the general state laws for child passenger safety so your use of a car seat or a booster seat will generally be based upon your individual child. Follow these important steps to choose the right seat install it correctly and keep your child safe. Have grown out of their forward facing car seat. Using a child car seat or booster seat children must normally use a child car seat until theyre 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall whichever comes first.
Gallery of Height And Weight Requirements For Booster Seats
