toddler booster seats

[1pj]

I was just wondering if anyone could help me ive tried looking for information,i was given a toddler booster seat when my DD was born,im just not sure of the laws,i was told that they are no longer able to be used(i live in QLD)but if this is so then why are they still for sale everywhere?would anyone know the actual rules for when your toddler reaches 14kilos?Im talking about the little booster seats they just sit on top of not the big booster ones that look like a car seat.So i mainly want to use are these still legal?and if so how?what do they need to have to be?thanks!!

[Janie]

I'm pretty sure that here in Vic they are no longer recommended, and illegal, because they give no side protection. I'm certain they wouldn't be appropriate for a child weighing 14 kgs. You'll need to check with your state's road authority to be sure.

[cakester69]

Maybe give kidsafe qld a call they can help you (07) 3854-1829

[porkbackribs]

QLD child restraint laws can be found here http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Dri...aint-laws.aspx

[Ozziehoffy]

I personally wouldn't use it anyway as the seats available now give so much more protection. Oskar is in the Safe n Sound Maxi Rider AHR which will take him right through until he doesn't have to be in a seat any longer. I actually intend on using it for the full amount of time he's supposed to be in a booster as it also has the harness which we still usefor him now. I feel better knowing he's safely strapped in.

[angelaartsstudent]

Pretty positive ours is the Maxi Rider too...goes from 14kg to 26/28kg as in WA all children up to the age of 7 need to be in a child restraint (not just a booster). We did a lot of research becuase DD is very tall for her age and the Maxi Rider is the tallest/longest seat on the market. She loves it compared to her "baby" seat, she's much more comfy while still being strapped in.

You do have to buy the harness seperately though, they don't come with one.

[Ozziehoffy]

yeah 28kg I think it is.... I think in Qld they need to be in restraint too? I don't care if it's not, we're keeping ours in one anyway lol. Re: the harness, ours came with the built in harness.

[Janie]

Yeah, the Maxi Rider comes with the built in harness. Not that it matters, you can buy them separately. In VIC children need to be in a restraint until age 7. I think from 4-7 they can be a in a booster.

[misty]

Not sure about QLD - but they can still be used in ACT provided the child is the right age, hieght and weight for it (this is under the new car seat laws). My DD is in one (she is 28kg, 5yrs old and very tall for her age) She has been in it since I had my last baby (so about a year and a half) - she fits in it without a H harness restraint, her head need to sit above the top of the back of the car seat, whilst sitting on the booster, to be without a harness (if it isn't the child shouldn't be using that kind of booster anyway) - it isn't even possible to fit a booster with the sides in our car with the two other car seats, so we had no option. But they are perfectly fine so long as you follow the guidelines: it's just that alot of people don't actually read the guidelines. My DS1 will likely not be able to use that kind of booster until he is actually at school (a much slighter build - so probably about 5-6yrs old), but my DS2 will likely be able to use that type from about 3.5-4yrs (like his big sister) as he is a 'big' boy (heaby and tall).

[Janie]

They've really cracked down here in VIC, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't pass here Misty. ACT must be different.

[misty]

They've really cracked down here in VIC, I'm pretty sure that wouldn't pass here Misty. ACT must be different.

In VIC:

Choosing a booster seat
There are three kinds of approved booster seats:
*booster seat (18–26 kg)
*combination child restraint/booster seat
*booster cushion (Please note: Booster cushions are not recommended as they provide no protection in a side impact crash. They are also not recommended for use in seating positions next to windows/doors).

from http://baby-car-seat.com.au/?p=109

They are Not recommended, however they ARE legal.

Also:

Children in this age group vary considerably in height and weight. A child may use EITHER a forward-facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness OR an approved booster seat with lap-sash seatbelt. If you are using a seating position with a lap-only seatbelt, you must also use a child safety harness.
Remember that children grow at diff erent rates. Just because they have turned 4 years does not mean they are ready for a booster seat. If your child is still under 18 kg and fitting in the forward-facing child restraint with inbuilt harness, keep using this restraint.

From http://baby-car-seat.com.au/?p=109

And in ACT:

Child age between 4 years and under 7 years: an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, forward facing child restraint with an in-built harness OR a properly positioned approved booster seat and a seatbelt that is properly fastened and adjusted.

from http://baby-car-seat.com.au/?p=8

Frequently asked questions
What can I do if my child is too big for the restraint for their age?
The laws aim to cater for the majority of children, however there is a provision to allow a child who is too heavy or tall for the recommended restraint to use the restraint in the next age category.

If my child is in a booster seat do they also need to be in a child safety harness?
Booster seats do not come with an internal child safety harness, and are designed to be used with a lap/sash seatbelt and therefore do not require a child safety harness. However, if your child is using a seating position fitted with a lap-only belt then they must use a child safety harness.

From http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/conne...ild+restraints


QLD:

Children who have reached four years of age must be secured in an approved booster seat with a H-harness or a booster seat with a secured adult lap/sash seatbelt that is properly fastened and adjusted. The child must be secured in this manner up until they turn seven years of age.

from http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Dri...aint-laws.aspx




These are Nationally agreed child restraint laws, so the new rules will be universal across australia - it is simply the roll out timeframe that is different.

And to quote myself:

they (cushion booster seats) are perfectly fine (legal) so long as you follow the guidelines: it's just that alot of people don't actually read the guidelines.