Graco SafeSeat Birkshire 8A12BKR User manual

© 2007 Graco ISPC065BB 2/07 US
Infant Restraint/Carrier
Owner’s Manual
Read this manual
KEEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE USE.
Even if using this infant restraint seems easy to figure out on
your own, it is very important to READ, UNDERSTAND
AND FOLLOW THE OWNERÊS ANUAL.
Failure to properly use this infant restraint increases the risk of
serious injury or death in a sudden stop or crash.

1.0 Warning to Parents and Other Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
2.0 Registration Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7
2.1 Register Your Infant Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2.2 RecallInformation...................................6
2.3 IfYouNeedHelp ....................................7
3.0 ImportantInformation ................................8-12
3.1 Warnings for Use as Infant Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
3.2 Warning for Use With a Stroller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
3.3 Additional Warnings for Use as Carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
3.4 Height and Weight Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
4.0 Features and Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13-19
4.1 AdjustingHandle...................................16
4.2 Removing and Attaching Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
4.3 AttachingCanopy ..................................17
4.4 Head Support (on certain models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
4.5 Cold Weather Boot (on certain models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
4.6 Harness Covers (on certain models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
5.0 UsingInfantRestraint....................................20-25
5.1 Positioning Harness Straps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
5.2 Securing Child in Infant Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
2

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6.0 Choosing an Appropriate Vehicle Seat Location . . . . . . . . .26-32
6.1 Vehicle Seat Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
6.2 Vehicle Seat Belt Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
6.2.1 UNSAFE Vehicle Belt Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
6.2.2 SAFE Vehicle Belt Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
6.3 LATCH Locations ..................................32
7.0 How to Install the Infant Restraint/Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-40
7.1 Installing the Infant Restraint Without Base
UsingVehicleBelt ..................................33
7.2 Installing the Infant Restraint and Base
UsingVehicleBelt ..................................34
7.3 Using LATCH toInstallBase .........................37
7.4 Reclining Infant Restraint/Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
8.0 Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41-43
8.1 AirplaneUse ......................................41
8.2 Storing LATCH ....................................41
8.3 Cleaning and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
ReplacementParts ........................................44

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No infant restraint can guarantee protection from injury in every
situation. However, proper use of this infant restraint reduces the
risk of serious injury or death to your child.
Failure to properly use this infant restraint increases the risk of
serious injury or death in a sharp turn, sudden stop or crash.
Your childÊs safety depends on you installing and using this infant
restraint correctly.
Even if using this infant restraint seems easy to figure out on your
own, it is very important to READ, UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW
THE OWNERÊS MANUAL.
The manual is located in a pocket on the back of the infant
restraint.
You must also read your vehicle ownerÊs manual.
Your childÊs safety depends on:
1. Choosing a suitable location in your vehicle. Some seating
positions, such as those equipped with air bags, may not be safe
locations for this infant restraint.
2. Inserting the harness straps in the proper slots for your child.
3. Properly securing your child in the infant restraint.
4. Placing infant restraint/base in a rear-facing position.
1.0 Warnings to Parents and Other Users

5
5. Properly routing the vehicle seat belt or LATCH.
6. Properly reclining the infant restraint.
7. Properly securing the infant restraint in the vehicle using a seat
belt designed to restrain an infant restraint or by using LATCH. Many seat
belts are NOT safe to use with infant restraints, even though they can
easily be threaded through the infant restraint!

6
odel Number:
anufactured in:
Purchase Date:
2.1 Register Your Infant Restraint
Please fill in the above information. The model number and
manufactured in (date) can be found on a label on the bottom of
your infant restraint. Fill out the prepaid registration postcard
attached to the seat cover and mail it today.
Child restraints could be recalled for safety reasons.You must
register this restraint to be reached in a recall. Send your name,
address and model number/manufactured in (date) to:
Graco ChildrenÊs Products Inc.
150 Oaklands Blvd.
Exton, PA 19341
or call 1-800-345-4109
or register online at www.gracobaby.com
•Call the U.S. GovernmentÊs Vehicle Safety Hotline
at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY:1-800-424-9153), or go to
http://www.NHTSA.gov
•Graco: 1-800-345-4109 or www.gracobaby.com
2.2 Recall Information
2.0 Registration Information

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2.3 If You Need Help
In the U.S.A, please contact our Customer Service Department
with any questions you may have concerning parts, use, or main-
tenance. When you contact us, please have your productÊs model
number and manufactured in (date) ready so that we may help
you efficiently. These numbers can be found on a sticker on the
underside of your infant restraint.
1-800-345-4109 or www.gracobaby.com

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3.0 Important Information
3.1 Warnings for Use as Infant Restraint
•DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THIS INFANT RESTRAINT AND
BASE UNTIL YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND THE
INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS ANUAL AND IN YOUR VEHICLE
OWNERÊS ANUAL. DO NOT let others install or use the
infant restraint unless they understand how to use it.
•FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE THIS INFANT RESTRAINT AND
BASE INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR
DEATH IN A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. Your child can be
injured in a vehicle even if you are not in a crash. Sudden
braking and sharp turns can injure your child if the infant restraint
is not properly installed or if your child is not properly secured in
the infant restraint.
•PLACE THIS INFANT RESTRAINT IN A REAR-FACING
POSITION when using it in the vehicle.
•DO NOT PLACE THIS INFANT RESTRAINT IN A VEHICLE
SEATING LOCATION THAT HAS A FRONT
AIR BAG. If the air bag inflates, it can hit the
infant restraint with great force and cause
serious injury or death to your child. Check
vehicle ownerÊs manual for information about
side air bags and infant restraint installation.

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•SO E SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN, such as pre-term babies or
those who have tested positive for positional apnea, may be at
increased risk of suffering breathing or other difficulties in an infant
restraint. If your child has special needs, we recommend that you have
your physician or hospital staff evaluate your child and
recommend the proper infant restraint or car bed before using
this product.
•According to accident statistics, CHILDREN ARE SAFER
WHEN PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN REAR VEHICLE SEATING
POSITIONS, RATHER THAN FRONT SEATING POSITIONS. For a
vehicle with a front passenger air bag, refer to your vehicle ownerÊs
manual as well as these instructions for infant restraint installation.
•NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILD UNATTENDED.
•NEVER LEAVE AN INFANT RESTRAINT AND BASE UNSECURED
IN YOUR VEHICLE. An unsecured infant restraint or base can be
thrown around and may injure occupants in a sharp turn, sudden
stop or crash. Remove it or make sure that it is securely belted in
the vehicle. If not using LATCH, make sure unsecured LATCH
connectors are properly stored on base.
•REPLACE THE INFANT RESTRAINT AND BASE AFTER AN
ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND. An accident can cause damage to the
infant restraint that you may not be able to see.
•STOP USING INFANT RESTRAINT AND BASE AND THROW IT
AWAY after the date molded into the back of the infant restraint. „DO
NOT use this car seat after December (Year)‰
•DO NOT ODIFY YOUR INFANT RESTRAINT AND BASE or use
any accessories or parts supplied by other manufacturers.

•NEVER USE INFANT RESTRAINT AND BASE IF IT HAS
DA AGED OR ISSING PARTS. DO NOT use a cut, frayed or
damaged infant restraint harness, vehicle seat belt or LATCH belt.
•THE INFANT RESTRAINT CAN BECO E VERY HOT IF LEFT IN
THE SUN. Always touch the surface of any metal or plastic parts
before putting your child in the infant restraint.
•THIS INFANT RESTRAINT CONFOR S to all applicable Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and is certified for use in motor
vehicles and aircraft.
•USE ONLY WITH STROLLERS THAT ARE PART OF THE GRACO
TRAVEL SYSTE . Refer to stroller ownerÊs manual for details about
how to attach the infant restraint to your stroller. If you do not have an
ownerÊs manual, please call toll-free, 1-800-345-4109 to obtain one, or
visit our website at www.gracobaby.com.
• Never use a GracoÊs infant restraint with other manufacturerÊs strollers.
May result in serious injury or death.
3.2 Warning for Use With a Stroller
10

3.3 Additional Warnings for Use as Carrier
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•FALL HAZARD: ChildÊs movements can slide carrier.
NEVER place carrier near edges of countertops, tables or other
high surfaces. Always stay within arms reach whenever carrier is
not on floor/ground.
BE SURE handle locks into position before lifting carrier.
NEVER place carrier on the top of a shopping cart.
•SUFFOCATION HAZARD: Infant carrier can roll over on soft
surfaces and suffocate child. Never place carrier on beds, sofas
or other soft surfaces.
•STRANGULATION HAZARD: Child can strangle in loose restraint
straps. Always use harness. Never leave child in carrier when straps
are loose or undone.
KEEP STRINGS AND CORDS AWAY FRO CHILD. Strings and
cords can cause strangulation.
DO NOT place carrier near a window where cords from blinds or
drapes can strangle a child.
DO NOT hang strings on or over the carrier.
DO NOT place items with a string around a childÊs neck, such as
hood strings, pacifier cords, etc.
DO NOT attach strings to toys.

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3.4 Height and Weight Limits
Your child MUST meet the following requirements:
•WEIGHT: 5-30 lbs. (2.3-13.6 kg)
AND
•HEIGHT: 32 inches (81 cm) or less in height.
TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH DO NOT USE THE
INFANT RESTRAINT WITH A CHILD LARGER OR S ALLER
THAN THE WEIGHT AND HEIGHT RANGE LISTED BELOW.

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FRONT VIEW
Handle
Vehicle
belt
hook
Handle
adjustment
button
Harness
buckle tongues
4.0 Features and Components
Harness
slots
Harness
clip
Harness
buckle
Harness
adjustment
button
Harness
adjustment
strap
Harness
Strap
Handle
adjustment
button
Waist
slots

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Canopy
Harness
slot
Release handle
Level
indicator*
OwnerÊs
manual
pocket
Metal
junction
plate Locking clip
storage**
**Locking
Clip
*Level
Indicator
Harness
storage for a
smaller child
The level indicator is attached to the side of
the infant restraint and indicates whether or
not the infant restraint is properly reclined.
The locking clip is stored on the bottom of
the infant restraint.You will need to use it
with certain types of vehicle seat belts.
REAR VIEW
Harness adjustment
strap
Anchor
Clip

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Vehicle belt/LATCH path
nob for
Adjustable Foot
LATCH
Connector
LATCH
Storage
Bars
(underneath)
Lock-off
United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards have defined a
new system for installing car seats in vehicles. The system is called
LATCH .
* LATCH may be used IN PLACE of vehicle belt ONLY if vehicle is
equipped with LATCH anchor points. Please refer to vehicle ownerÊs
manual for LATCH locations.
BASE
Adjustable Foot
LATCH
Adjustment
Belt

4.2 Removing and Attaching Infant Restraint
4.1 Adjusting Handle
To remove, squeeze release handle at back of
infant restraint and lift out of base as shown .
To put infant restraint in base, push infant
restraint down until it clicks into base. Pull up
on infant restraint to be sure it is latched
firmly into base.

1. Press handle adjustment buttons on both
sides of handle .
2. Rotate handle until it clicks into any of the
4 positions:
Position A: UST be used
when carrying by handle,
Position B,C: are convenience
positions,
Position D: is the sitting position,
NEVER use position Bin
the vehicle.
BOTH handle adjustment
buttons must pop out to lock
handle in place .
3. Push and pull on the handle to
be sure it is locked firmly in
position.


Carrying
Sitting
AB
C
16
D

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1. Infant restraint comes with four
identical canopy support parts.
Thread one canopy support
completely through sewn
channel .
2. Slide straight end of a
second support into
the straight end of the
first support and snap in
place .
3. Repeat steps one and two for the other canopy
tunnel. The canopy should appear as shown .
4. Attach canopy in the areas between
the infant restraint and the base of
the handle .
4.3 Attaching Canopy





4.4 Head Support (on certain models, styles vary)
Some infants may need extra support to keep
their head and body in a comfortable position.
odels with snaps: Unsnap the sides and
resnap them with the harness straps threaded
through the slots in the cushion .
odels without snaps: Thread the harness
through the openings in the head support as
shown .
If your model does not include a
head support, you may want to
use a rolled towel or a blanket
for support .AKE SURE THAT
NOTHING INTERFERES WITH THE
HARNESS. Harness must still be flat
and snug against your childÊs shoulders.
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4.5 ColdWeather Boot (on certain models, styles vary)
Some models come with a cold
weather boot. To use, wrap elastic
around bottom of seat and attach
both elastic loops around vehicle belt
hooks as shown .

4.6 Harness Covers (on certain models, styles vary)
To prevent ejection in sudden stop or crash:
• Always make sure shoulder straps are
threaded through slots and properly
positioned on shoulders.
• Make sure that harness covers do not
interfere with placement of the chest clip at
armpit level.

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5.1 Positioning Harness Straps
1. Remove infant restraint from base and
rotate handle down to sitting position.
See „4.1 Adjusting Handle‰ and „4.2
Removing and Attaching Seat‰ , page. 16.
2. Place child in infant restraint as shown .
3. Determine which pair of harness slots
are even with or just below your
childÊs shoulders .
4. If the harness straps must be
adjusted: remove child from infant
restraint and move harness straps
to the proper harness slots by doing the
following: Use harness slots
even with or just below
childÊs shoulders


5.0 Using Infant Restraint
FAILURE TO PROPERLY ADJUST THE HARNESS STRAPS
FOR YOUR CHILD INCREASES THE RISK OF SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SHARP TURN,
SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH. The harness straps must be
properly adjusted to fit your child according to the following
instructions.