The belt-positioning booster seat has a base that the child sits on. It is used only with a lap/shoulder belt. With this type of seat, the child’s head can’t move as far in a crash.

Belt-positioning boosters come with or without a seat back. Those without a seat back often come with a strap and clip to keep the car’s shoulder belt in the proper place.

If a car’s seat back is lower than the child's ears, a booster seat with a high back should be used. This type of seat will improve the child's neck position and protect the head. High back boosters come with or without a 5-point harness system.

The belt-positioning booster seat, when used with a 5-point harness, does the same thing as a forward-facing safety seat for a child weighing up to 40 pounds. When the harness is removed, the seat may be used for a child weighing 40 to 80 pounds. The child must use a lap and shoulder belt. Read the safety seat manual to find the seat's weight limit.

For more information on child safety seats, see the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Governor's Traffic Safety Committee's website.