Requirements of Booster Car Seats

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for kids in the United States, with an average of three children perishing in crashes each day during 2011, according to the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. Each state in the United States has its own laws regarding child restraints. It's up to you to know the booster seat laws in your state and to ensure your child is properly and safely restrained in her booster seat. Learning the requirements can help you choose and use the proper seat.

  1. Booster Seat Laws

    • While each state may have different requirements for car seats and booster seats, the goal is the same -- to save children's lives. As of 2013, Florida and South Dakota are the only states without booster seat laws, only requiring children 3 and under to be placed in car seats, according to the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. Every other state has booster seat laws in place. South Carolina, Nevada and Iowa, for example, require children to ride in a car seat or booster seat until they turn 6. The majority of states, including Texas, Missouri, Indiana and Colorado, have laws that require kids 7 and younger to be in a car seat or booster seat. Wyoming and Tennessee require kids to ride in them the longest, until they reach the age of 9, according to EliteCarSeats.com.

    When to Switch to a Booster Seat

    • A booster seat is similar to a car seat, but it uses your car's safety belt to secure your child, instead of straps built into the seat, and it may or may not have a back. You need to know when it's the right time to transition your child from her car seat to a booster seat. Generally, booster seats are designed to be used by school-age children, according to HealthyChildren.org. Your child can start riding in a booster seat when she outgrows the height and weight limits for her car seat and meets the requirements for riding in a booster seat. Normally, this is when your child is between 8 and 12 years old and reaches 4 feet 9 inches in height.

    Booster Seat Shopping

    • Before you purchase a booster seat, you'll have to decide what type is best for your child. A belt-positioning booster seat boosts your child up high enough to safely use your car's built-in seat belts. A backless booster can be used by your child if her head is properly supported, up to the top of her ears, by your car's seat or the head support, according to Kids Health. A high-back booster should be used when your car has low seat backs that are unable to offer your child head support. For the most safety, you should buy your child a new booster seat that has never been part of a recall. You can check for recalls at SaferCar.gov. If you do get your child a used booster seat, do so with caution, warns HealthyChildren.org. It's crucial that you know the booster seat hasn't expired and isn't damaged, and that it has never been in an accident.

    How to Use Booster Seat

    • Install your child's booster seat according to the manufacturer's directions. Read the manual that came with the seat completely before using the booster seat. Place your child's booster seat safely in the back seat of your car, advises SaferCar.gov. Ensure that the shoulder belt is positioned snugly and flat across your child's shoulder, without touching her neck or face, recommends Kids Health. The lap belt should be tight and low across your child's hips. Make sure neither part of the seat belt is twisted. Safely using a booster seat can reduce your child's risk of injury during a car accident by 59 percent, according to the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

    Get It Inspected

    • Seven out of 10 children are not properly buckled into their safety seats, according to SeatCheck.org. If you're unsure about installing your child's booster seat or how to use it properly, locate a certified child passenger safety seat inspector in your area by visiting SeatCheck.org. An inspector can take a look at your booster seat and show you how to buckle your child in the right way.

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