There are varieties of booster seats available but they are typically designed for use until about age 8 or a height of 49. Never turn a child forward facing until he or she meets all the ageheightweight requirements set by the safety seat manufacturer. Use a forward facing car seat until at least age 4 and until your child reaches the height or weight limit of their seat. Texas requires that child safety seats are used based on manufacturer recommendations. Once a child reaches four years of age and 40 pounds he or she may ride in a booster seat with the adult lap and shoulder belt until the adult safety belt will fit them properly usually when the child is 10 to 12 years old. Use a rear facing infant or rear facing convertible safety seat as long as possible up to the rear facing height or weight limit of the seat.
However car and booster seat age height and weight requirements vary by product type and manufacturer. Properly install according to instructions in owners manual rear facing in the back seat. The average weight for a child in a booster seat is between 40 and 100 pounds according to the texas department of public safety guidelines. After children have reached the age of 8 andor exceeded the top height and weight limits for their booster seat they can sit in the car seats alone. Children taller than 4 feet 9 however are not required to be secured in booster seats. That can be anywhere from 60 to 100 pounds 272 to 454kg depending on.
The booster seat must meet federal guidelines for a booster seat and should not have been involved in a car accident which could damage the seat integrity. To improve car seat safety in texas the txdot recommends using a. What are the recommended four stages of child passenger safety. Parents must also check their car seat manufacturers height and weight limits and follow recommendations from health and safety organizations. Nhtsa recommends that booster seats be used in the back seat from ages 4 to 8 and when the child weighs over 40 pounds unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller. If you need help installing your car seat trust a professional and find a car seat inspection station near you.
Seat high back booster seat backless booster seat safety vestharness. Infants stay rear facing as long as possible to the upper weight limits of the harness but never forward facing before their first birthday and 20 22 pounds. The safest car seats that the texas department of transportation txdot recommends using includes a rear or front facing restraint system followed by a booster seat. Texas weight and height requirements according to the texas department of public safety all children more than 40 pounds ages 4 through 8 must ride in a booster seat while a vehicle is moving 1. Visit our main car seat safety page for additional age weight and height guidelines. Children under age 1 should always ride in a rear facing car seat.
A lapshoulder belt is required for a booster seat.