Dangers of booster seats with an adult seat belt.

[aussienic]

I too would want to say something but it is so hard sometimes.. I have a maxirider for my almost 5 yr old but he is wanting to move soon so my Ds3 will go into it shortly.. (when mummy gets up the courage)

If she cannot afford the maxirider or its equivelant (can't remember the name but they sell at Kmart i think) safe and sound explorer... I think. A booster that offer the adult seat to go through at a safer angle would be better...

Can her DD go back into her 5 point harness? My almost 3 yr old is still in his original baby seat and it is a Go safe..

Legally they can go into a booster.. I personally don't understand by some people don't use thier commonsense. I hope you are able to explain it to her and that she listens

[~Trish~]

The VicRoads website says:

* Toddlers are safer in a child car seat than a booster seat. So keep children in car seats as long as possible.
* Toddlers can move to a booster seat when they out grow their child seat or weigh between 14 kg and 26 kg.
* Wait till your toddler is old enough to understand not to touch the seat belt. Some two year olds are heavy enough to use a booster but not mature enough to leave the seat belt buckled up.

It recommends from 14kg or 3.5 years old, I think 2 is WAY to young to be safe in a booster seat.

Even suggest for her to buy a booster seat "H" harness, that is much safer than having an adult seatbelt that goes across her neck.

[**Helen**]

Thanks Trish, couldnt think of the name of the harness I was after, not a 5 point but a H harness.

[sweetpea678]

Hi i found this thought it might help.


New national car seat safety laws announced
March 4, 2008 ? Print This Article

Car safety for children is an important issue for all parents. Currently 500 children under the age of ten are killed or seriously injured every year in car accidents with a further 2,300 receiving minor injuries.

Last week, Transport Ministers from around Australia announced unanimous support for new national child car restraint laws.

Babies up to six months of age must be in a rear-facing infant capsule, then in a forward facing car seat until four years of age and then in a booster seat from four to seven years of age.

Up to the age of four, children must be restrained in the back seat of the car. Children between four and seven years old must not be seated in the front seat unless all backseats are taken up with younger children.

Remember to make sure your child?s restraint is appropriate for her weight and height, that it meets Australian Standards, and that it is installed correctly.

The new laws use the child?s age as the best guide as parents will know their child?s age but may not be aware of their height or weight, however the safest position for small babies to travel in is facing backwards, so it is important to leave her in her rear-facing car-seat or capsule until she reaches the upper weight limit before moving her into a forward facing restraints.