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The different styles and types.......Mar 11 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Car Seats
The Bottom Line Boosters are a necessity for children aged 4-8 yrs of age. Just because they have outgrown the "baby seat" doesn't mean they are ready for the adult seat belt.
There are different things people say about boosters that may be confusing to some. I am going to attempt to tell you the differences and what to look for in a seat for your older child. Harnessed seats: 1) Has a 5 point harness. 2) Forward Facing ONLY (except the Cosco Alpha Omega) 3) Harness can be removed to use as a BPB (see below) 4) Generally has a weight limit of 20-40 lbs. Child MUST be at least 1 yr old though I don't recommend using a harnessed booster for a child that young on a daily basis but you can if you want too. 5) Always use the harness slots that are AT or ABOVE the childs shoulders. 6) Make sure the chest clip is at armpit level and fastened securely. If it has a paper clip style one then make sure both sides of it look the same, the side that can come undone for removing the child must be under the top and bottom part and over the middle piece where the notch is to hold it in place. Too many parents thread that the wrong way and think it's right. 7) When used with the harness the seat can be securely fastened to the car with either a lap only belt or the lap shoulder belt combo. 8) Be sure you watch for your child to outgrow the harness by height also just in case they get taller but don't gain any weight. Your child has outgrown the harness when their shoulders reach the top harness slots, or their ears have reached the top of the back of the seat. 9) Try it in your car before you buy it. Make sure you get a tight fit with no more than one inch of movement at the belt path. Shield Boosters: NOT RECOMMENDED AT ALL This is a type of booster seat, used with a shield, for children between 30-40 lbs, the NHTSA and the AAP recommend that children in this weight range be restrained in a forward facing child safety seat, with a 5 point harness. Some shield boosters have shields that remove to become BPBs using the lap shoulder combo. Never allow a child to use a BPB or sit in the shield booster with out the shield using only the lap belt. What to do if you only have lap belts in your vehicle... there is a seat that is forward facing only called the Futura by Fisher Price, it is a harnessed seat up to 60lbs and comes in both the shield version (available at TRU) and the 5 point (available online only at ICIP). This seat is also good for big toddlers that outgrow their convertible before being mature enough to use an adult belt with a booster. The shield version isn't recommended for young toddlers that would normally fit in a convertible. Here are some things to think about when considering a booster seat purchase: Ask yourself these questions: 1) Is he or she at least 4 yrs old/ 40 lbs? Kids can stay in a harnessed booster til 40lbs or unless they are tall torso wise and outgrow it heightwise first. Just be sure they are ready to use just a seat belt with the booster. 2) Is he or she able to sit still in a seat belt? Some kids hit 40lbs before they are mature enough to really sit still in a seat belt with a booster. Some parents say they have a really mature 3 yr old or a wiggly 5 yr old so it's really a parental decision past 40lbs what to do. (see note about Futura if your child is over 40lbs but not yet ready for a BPB) 3) Does your vehicle have head rests? If not you need to purchase a booster with a high back. They look like an actual seat from a car (well sort of anyway) Some kids call them "big kid seats" If you do have headrests then you can get a no back booster, the Evenflo Right Fit is a good choice, it has an adjuster to help the fit of the shoulder belt. The Cosco Grand Explorer is an ok seat too, just please destroy the shield and only use the base with the lap shoulder belt combo. 4) Make sure the top of your child's ears aren't above the seat back, whether it be the headrest in your vehicle or the booster seat if you have a high back booster. Seats have height limits listed but all kids grow different ways, some have a long torso and some are all legs so go by the "ear test" 5) Make sure the lap part of the seat belt lies across the child's upper thigh not their lower abdomen. And the shoulder part goes across the chest not the neck. 6) Most kids in this age group are more independent so they will more likely want to be able to buckle themselves in, check for a seat that will let them do that. The Fisher Price Safe Embrace Booster is a good seat for this, the Century Breverra Ascend isn't. It has armrests that make it hard for the child to get around to buckle the seat belt. 7) Whenever the seat is not in use make sure you buckle it in, I know that may sound weird but if you are in a crash, it could become a flying object that no one wants to get hit with. Whatever style you choose to use make sure you use it properly each and everytime your child is in the car. Your child's life depends on it. For more info on Boosters go to www.boostamerica.org I think I may have missed a few points in this but I'll edit it soon if I need too. Thanks for reading and keeping the children safe on the road.  |
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