For most basic types of child restraints, there aremany different models available. When purchasing achild restraint, be sure it is designed to be usedin a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have alabel saying that it meets federal motor vehiclesafety standards.The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that comewith the restraint state the weight and heightlimitations for a particular child restraint. In addition,there are many kinds of restraints available forchildren with special needs.{CAUTION:Newborn infants need complete support,including support for the head and neck. This isnecessary because a newborn infant’s neck isweak and its head weighs so much comparedwith the rest of its body. In a crash, an infantin a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint,so the crash forces can be distributed acrossthe strongest part of an infant’s body, the backand shoulders. Infants always should besecured in appropriate infant restraints.{CAUTION:The body structure of a young child is quiteunlike that of an adult or older child, for whomthe safety belts are designed. A young child’ship bones are still so small that the vehicle’sregular safety belt may not remain low on thehip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settleup around the child’s abdomen. In a crash,the belt would apply force on a body area thatis unprotected by any bony structure. Thisalone could cause serious or fatal injuries.Young children always should be secured inappropriate child restraints.1-35
