2007 Dodge Caliber Owner's Manual - Page 54

54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE Child Restraint Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all times - babies and children, too. Every state in the United States and all Canadian provinces require that small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it. Children 12 years and under should ride properly buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seats, rather than in the front. Infants And Small Children There are different sizes and types of restraints for children from newborn size to the child almost large enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child seat owner's manual to ensure you have the correct seat for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your child: • Safety experts recommend that children ride rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least one year old and weigh at least 20 lbs. (9 kg). Two types of child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant carriers and convertible child seats. Both types of child restraints are held in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH child restraint anchorage system. • The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up to about 20 lbs. (9 kg). Convertible child seats can be used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than WARNING! In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby, can become a missile inside the vehicle. The force required to hold even an infant on your lap could become so great that you could not hold the child, no matter how strong you are. The child and others could be badly injured. Any child riding in your vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child's size.