Safety Notices

FAQ

Q. How do I know what type of seat belt retractor is in my vehicle?

A. For details on the type of seat belt system in your vehicle, consult your vehicle's owner's manual.

Q. The base of the Chaperone infant carrier hangs over the edge of the seat when installed in my vehicle. Is this safe?

A. Historically, Child Passenger Safety curriculum has referenced an “80/20 rule of thumb” – which suggests that at least 80% of the child restraint’s base should be in contact with the vehicle seat.

Whereas this rule of thumb is a good starting point, changes in product design and materials among manufacturers have resulted in products that defy this guideline in both directions. Some products require 100% of the restraint’s base be in contact with the vehicle seat, while other products may allow for less than 80%. If limitations to standard installations exist – it should be well documented in the user guide.

Britax has extensively tested the Chaperone Infant Carrier under all configurations possible within the FMVSS-213 standard – with each result far exceeding the required standards.

Q. When can I move my child from a harnessed seat or booster seat to the vehicle seat belt?

A. Requirements for car seat use vary depending on the state or province in which you reside. Britax recommends that you follow the laws of your state/province as the minimum requirements for restraining your child while traveling. Additionally, Britax recommends that you continue to use the child seat system - convertible car seat, youth seat, or booster seat - to the upper limits of its recommended use, or until your child can fit properly in the adult seat belt.


For adult seat belt use, as a minimum follow your state/province requirements. The following are additional best practices recommended by Britax. To be able to fit an adult seat belt, a child must:

  • Be tall enough to sit without slouching

  • Keep his/her back and buttocks against the vehicle seat back

  • Keep his/her knees completely bent over the front edge of the vehicle seat

  • Keep his/her feet flat on the floor

  • Be able to stay comfortably seated this way, AND

  • The vehicle seat belt must be positioned correctly across the child's hips and shoulder.

Also, please keep in mind that state/province law does not always represent best practice. We recommend that you follow the laws of your state/province as the minimum requirements for restraining your child while traveling.