Educate you about the various types of child safety restraints available. The charts below list all the new child safety seats available as of January, 2001. Provide a listing and descriptions of various features available on the child restraints. Provide recommendations for the correct use of each type of safety seat which will help you select the most appropriate child safety seat for your child. Allow you to click on the “tips for correct use and installation” sections for each type of child restraint.

Recommendations for child restraint use.
Use a rear-facing child seat for children from birth to at least 20 pounds and one year of age. Use a forward facing child seat for children who are at least 20 pounds and one year of age until about 40 pounds and approximately four years of age. Use a belt positioning booster seat from about 40 pounds until the child can sit with his or her back straight against the vehicle seat back cushion, with knees bent over the vehicle's seat edge, without slouching (approximately 4'9"). Use vehicle lap and shoulder belt for children who have outgrown a booster seat and can sit with his or her back straight against the vehicle seat back cushion, with knees bent over the vehicle's seat edge, without slouching, and feet on the floor (approximately 4'9" and 80 pounds).

Child Safety Seat Registration Card and Recalls
When you purchase a new child safety seat please fill out and return the registration card. This is the only way a manufacturer can notify you in case of a recall. To see if your current child safety seat has been recalled click here. To report a possible defect with your child safety seat or with your vehicle, call the NHTSA Hotline at 1-888-DASH2DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Photos courtesy of the Manufacturers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration