As children grow older, so will their social calendars. At times you may feel like a taxi driver, spending a chunk of your day shuttling your child and his friends to and from play dates or other engagements. With your child safely secured in a booster seat in the back, you can go out and about with peace of mind. Make sure you're aware of the guidelines for booster seat use in order to keep your child safe.
Legislation
Most states have stringent booster seat legislation in place. Failure to comply with booster seat laws now place in several states can result in a fine of between $10 and $100 and cost you two negative points on your driver's license in some states.
Age, Weight and Height
There are strict requirements for the age, weight and height specifications for booster seat use throughout the U.S., although there is slight variation from state to state (see Resources for the criteria in your state). Children weighing between 40 and 80 pounds are required to ride in a booster seat. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends all children who are between the ages of 4 and 8, and who measure less than 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches) tall, to ride in a booster seat.
Seat belt
Booster seats are required to be used in conjunction with both lap and shoulder belts. If the lap belt only is used, the risk of serious head and neck injury in the event of an accident significantly increases. Position the lap belt so that it's resting on your child's upper thighs and place the shoulder belt over your child's shoulder and across the middle of her chest, avoiding the neck and face.
Seat Placement
Place the booster seat in the center seat in back of your vehicle as this will provide protection in the event of a side-impact crash. Never place the seat in the front seat of a vehicle--if the airbag inflates, it can increase the risk of serious injury and death in an accident. The Child Booster Seat Law stipulates that all booster seats are required to be placed in the back seat of your vehicle and that all children under the age of 12 ride in the back seat of a vehicle.
Correct Use
Using a booster seat that isn't appropriate for your child or using one too early is as bad as not using one in the first place. Apart from adhering to age, height and weight regulations, check the position of your child in the seat. Her legs should bend at the knees and hang comfortably from the edge of the seat. If her legs are pointing straight out, she is too young to ride in a booster seat.
