Q: What are the different types of add-on child
restraints?
A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the
vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types.
Selection of a particular restraint should take
into consideration not only the child’s weight, height
and age but also whether or not the restraint will
be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will
be used.
Formost basic types of child restraints, there are
manydifferent models available. When purchasing a
childrestraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a
motorvehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label
sayingthat it meets federal motor vehicle safety
standards.
The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come
with the restraint state the weight and height
limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition,
there are many kinds of restraints available for
children with special needs.
{CAUTION:
Newborninfants need complete support,
includingsupport for the head and neck. This is
necessarybecause a newborn infant’s neck is
weakand its head weighs so much compared
withthe rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a
rear-facingseat settles into the restraint, so the
crashforces can be distributed across the
strongestpart of an infant’s body, the back and
shoulders.Infants always should be secured in
appropriateinfant restraints.
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