As a Social Worker I deal with Georgia’s most precious resource, it’s children. This means I transport a lot of children in my POV that’s “privately owned vehicle” almost daily.

I take children to court, to the hospital, to school, to their family or foster home. It’s vital that I transport them safety. I’ve recently become a whistle blower after discovering that some of Georgia’s children are not being transported safely.

Although many of the Case Managers and Social Workers that transport children use the baby car seats everyone seems to forget that the 7 and 8-year-old children need protection also often not using a booster seat. Honestly, they are placing children’s lives in danger.

I currently use the Britax Star-Riser child booster seat, which is recommended for children ages 3 to 10 years old with their weight ranging from 30 to 80 pounds. I inherited this booster seat from the previous Social Worker it was still in the box, spanking brand new; shockingly it had never been used.

Motor vehicle crashes still remain the leading cause of death and disability in children over age 1 in the United States. Many adults are to quick to give up the car seat or booster replacing it with a seat belt. As a Social Worker and child advocate I am committed to child safety. It’s a major problem in the state of Georgia with children not appropriately restrained in the car. I suspect it’s probably a problem in other states as well.

Seat belts are made for adults; merely buckling up your 7-year-old child is not enough. While seat belts are safer than no restraint at all they are still designed for grownups. The Britax booster seat is meant to be used for children too large to safely fit in a toddler safety seat. Many children are eager to move out of their toddler seat and into a booster seat.

Almost weekly I get a complaint from a small child reporting to me that they don’t ride in ‘baby seats’ anymore. I find myself telling kids don't rush the progression to the seat belt. Unfortunately the number of children appropriately restrained declines drastically between the ages of 5 and 8 years old. Plus seat belts don’t properly fit most children, leaving them susceptible to injury particularly head trauma as they may slip out of improper restraints and slam into the vehicles window and hard interior.


Using the Britax Star-Riser booster seat is crucial when it comes to preventing devastating injuries and possible death. It’s easy to set up, and installation is simple. The poly/cotton seat cover is washable and easy to wipe clean. You can also easy clean the headrest because it’s adjustable. The Star-Riser is for children measuring anywhere from 53 inch to 80 pounds.

The back of the seal clips off with little effort and the base of the seat can be used through out your child’s development. Plus if your child gets tired they can rest with the side supports which flair’s upwards. Although sleeping in the car is not the most comfortable thing for an adult or child.

Unfortunately there are a lot of states that don’t have adequate laws to protect children riding in vehicles according to a study done by the National Safe Kids Campaign, a child safety advocacy group. Some states allow children to ride completely unrestrained in the back seat, while others allow kids to ride only in a seat belt.

Not only am I rating this booster seat but also I’m hoping that I emphasize the importance of using booster seats for older children. The Britax Star-Riser booster seat allows the seat belt to be used in conjunction with the seat since the lap/shoulder belt safely crosses the child's chest. The Britax Star-Riser seats currently meet the requirements set by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.

I believe parents should take every step possible to make children safer while riding in a vehicle. The Britax Star-Riser booster seat makes an excellent choice. Plus it allows your child the opportunity to look out of the window.

When used correctly this seat can effectively reduce the threat of child injury and possible death. So the next time your 8-year-old jumps in the front seat, you may want to point them to the back with the Britax booster seat, their life may depend on it.





Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 00.00
Age Range of Child: 6 to 8 Years