General Car Seat Guidelines

Infant-Only Seat/rear-facing or Convertible Seat/used rear-facing.

Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the seat belts or by the LATCH system.

• Never use in a front seat where an air bag is present.
• Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing the rear.
• Child seat should recline at approximately a 45 degree angle.
• Harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level (lower set of slots for most convertible child safety seats).
• Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

Convertible Seat/used rear-facing (select one recommended for heavier infants).

Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the seat belts or by the LATCH system.

• Never use in a front seat where an air bag is present.
• Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing the rear.
• Child seat should recline at approximately a 45 degree angle.
• Harness straps/slots at or below shoulder level (lower set of slots for most convertible child safety seats).
• Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

Convertible Seat/forward-facing or Forward-Facing Only or High Back Booster/Harness.

Seats should be secured to the vehicle by the seat belts or by the LATCH system.

• Tightly install child seat in rear seat, facing forward.
• Harness straps/slots at or above child’s shoulders (usually top set of slots for convertible child safety seats).
• Harness straps snug on child; harness clip at armpit level.

Belt-Positioning Booster (no back, base only) or High Back Belt-Positioning Booster.

NEVER use with lap-only belts—belt-positioning boosters are always used with lap AND shoulder belts.

• Booster base used with adult lap and shoulder belt in rear seat.
• Shoulder belt should rest snugly across chest, rests on shoulder; and should NEVER be placed under the arm or behind the back.
• Lap-belt should rest low, across the lap/upper thigh area—not across the stomach.