Rear Facing Child Passenger Safety Seats

Infants from Birth to the age of 1 year old AND at least 20 pounds should ride in a vehicle rear facing. 

A child less than 1 year of age AND less than 20 pounds are able to ride in either an infant only or convertible car seat. 

It is highly recommended that infants remain rear facing as long as possible. 

Many car seat manufacturers are making the weight limits for rear facing seats higher so children can remain rear facing longer. 

Key Points to Remember:

1)  NEVER place a rear facing safety seat in a front seat with an active air bag.

2)  Rear facing seats should be reclined no more than 45 degrees for a newborn.  The older a child gets the more upright they should sit. 

3)  Harness straps should be at or below the child's shoulders and should lay flat and snug on the child.

4)  The harness retainer clip should be at the child's armpit level.

5)  Some seats are strictly rear facing seats, others are able to be turned to forward facing positions when the child becomes the appropriate age, weight and height.  Please make sure you follow all car seat manufacturer guidelines in regards to the weight limits and details of the use of the car seat.

6)  The safest place for ALL children is in the back seat.

7)  Always use the vehicle's seat belt OR lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system to secure the safety seat into the vehicle.  Always follow the car seat manufacturer's guidelines and the vehicle owner's manual for how to secure the child seat into the vehicle with the seat belt or LATCH systems. The seat should not move more than one inch side to side or forward (from the belt path) when secured properly.

8)  Always read the car seat and vehicle manual for proper installation.  A misused safety seat may not be effective in a car crash.