For Caregivers:
As children grow, how they ride in a vehicle should change. Keep your child safe by following best practice guidelines. View the Iowa Law vs. Best Practice Flyer or review the information below.
Steps to child passenger safety:
- Rear Facing
- Forward Facing
- Booster Seats
- Vehicle Seat Belt
Rear-Facing
Children should ride rear-facing until the maximum weight or height limit of their car seat. At a minimum, per Iowa law, a child must stay rear-facing until 1 year of age and at least 20 pounds - both criteria, not one or the other.
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Direction in Vehicle
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Lower Weight Limit
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Upper Weight Limit
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Harness Strap Position
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Harness Strap Tightness
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Chest Clip
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Installation Angle
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Rear-Facing Only (infant carrier)
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This seat can ONLY rear-face in a vehicle.
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Most lower weight limits for infant carriers is 4-5 pounds.
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The upper weight limit of infant carriers can range from 20 to 35+ pounds.
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Put the harnesses through the slots so they are even with or below the child's shoulders.
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Be sure the harness is snug, so you cannot pinch extra webbing at the child's shoulder.
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Adjust the chest clip to the armpit level every trip.
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Install your child's car seat rear-facing at the angle determined by the manufacturer. Locate and use the recline indicator on your seat.
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Convertible
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This seat can rear-face or forward-face in a vehicle, depending on the child's age and weight.
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Most lower weight limits for convertible seats is 4-5 pounds.
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The upper weight limit of rear-facing convertible seats can range from 40-50 pounds.
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Put the harnesses through the slots so they are even with or below the child's shoulders.
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Be sure the harness is snug, so you cannot pinch extra webbing at the child's shoulder.
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Adjust the chest clip to the armpit level every trip.
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Install your child's car seat rear-facing at the angle determined by the manufacturer. Locate and use the recline indicator on your seat.
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Forward Facing
When children outgrow their rear-facing seats, they should ride in a forward-facing child safety seat with a harness system until they reach the upper weight or height limits of their seat.
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Direction in Vehicle
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Lower Weight Limit
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Upper Weight Limit
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Harness Strap Position
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Harness Strap Tightness
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Chest Clip
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Installation
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Convertible
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This seat can rear-face or forward-face in a vehicle, depending on the child's age and weight.
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Most lower weight limits for convertible seats is 5 pounds.
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The upper weight limit of forward-facing convertible seats can range from 40-85 pounds.
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Put the harnesses through the slots so they are even with or above the child's shoulders.
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Be sure the harness is snug, so you cannot pinch extra webbing at the child's shoulder.
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Adjust the chest clip to the armpit level every trip.
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Use a top tether if your vehicle and car seat are both so equipped.
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Forward-Facing Combination
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This seat can ONLY forward-face in a vehicle.
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Most lower weight limits for combination seats is 20 pounds.
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The upper weight limit of combination seats with a harness can range from 40-90 pounds.
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Put the harnesses through the slots so they are even with or above the child's shoulders.
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Be sure the harness is snug, so you cannot pinch extra webbing at the child's shoulder.
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Adjust the chest clip to the armpit level every trip.
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Use a top tether if your vehicle and car seat are both so equipped.
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Booster Seats
Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats with a harness, they should ride in a booster seat. Booster seats MUST be used in a seating position that has a lap AND shoulder belt. Never use a booster seat with a lap belt only seat belt.
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Direction in Vehicle
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Lower Weight Limit
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Upper Weight Limit
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Seat Belt Position
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Difference Between a High Back and Low Back
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Installation
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High Back Booster
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This seat can ONLY forward-face in a vehicle.
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Most lower weight limits for high back boosters is 40 pounds.
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The upper weight limit of high back booster seats can range from 80-120 pounds.
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The shoulder belt should cross the child's collar bone and the lap belt should cross the child's upper thighs.
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A high back booster must be used if there is no vehicle head support for your child when they sit on the booster.
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Booster seats sit on the vehicle seat. Buckle the seat belt even when the booster is not in use, unless your booster is equipped with lower anchor attachments.
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Backless Booster
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This seat can ONLY forward-face in a vehicle.
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Most lower weight limits for backless boosters is 40 pounds.
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The upper weight limit of backless booster seats can range from 80-120 pounds.
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The shoulder belt should cross the child's collar bone and the lap belt should cross the child's upper thighs.
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A backless booster can be used if there is vehicle head support for your child when they sit on the booster.
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Booster seats sit on the vehicle seat. Buckle the seat belt even when the booster is not in use, unless your booster is equipped with lower anchor attachments.
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Vehicle Seat Belt
A child can move out of a booster seat once they successfully pass the Five Step Test.
Can the child:
- Keep their back against the vehicle seat without slouching?
- Keep their knees naturally bent over the edge of the vehicle seat?
- Keep their feet flat on the floor?
- Have their lap belt lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach?
- Have the shoulder belt lie snugly across the shoulder and chest, not across the neck or face?