Dangers of booster seats with an adult seat belt.

Hi everyone

I don't know if this is the right place to put this question but can't find a category it fits into so i'll put my question here and someone can move it if it's in the wrong place!!!

I was out with my friend this morning and noticed that, too my horor, she has moved her 2 year old into a booster seat (the pegesus) with an adult seat belt. this booster seat is not designed to be anchored to the car in anyway it just sits on the seat and uses the normal car seat belt to hold the child in.

My friends DD sits in the seat and the belt goes straight over her neck. I've felt sick since i got home thinking about what would happen to her neck if there was an accident. My two DD both have a maxi rider which is A) anchored to the car and B) has an inbuilt 5 point harness which can be used till they are 18kg which i believe is far safer.

From my googgling this afternoon my understanding is that it meets Australian standards to place a child of this age in such a booster seat however many people think it's not safe enough (which i agree). I have watched "Belle's gift" on you tube which just made me cry so my questions are:

1) is a 2 year old (wt about 15kg) safe in a booster seat with an adult seat belt?

2) Is a booster seat that is anchored to the car (such as the maxi rider) a safer seat?

3) Should I tell my friend that i think she has made a mistake moving her DD to this seat? (out of concern for the child not just being a *****)

and

4) where can i get some information that i can print out (ie not just the you tube gut wrenching video) and give to my friend to take to the shop where she bought the seat and demand her money back?

I am just so worried about this little girl that i don't know what to do.

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

I found this on RACV website:

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<H4>changes to the legislation


New child restraint laws have been approved by Australia?s Transport ministers, but have not yet been implemented in Victoria or other Australian jurisdictions.
Once implemented, the key changes will be:

• Children less than 6 months old must be restrained in a rearward facing restraint
• Children older than 6 months and under 4 years must be restrained in rearward or forward facing restraint
• Children older than 4 years and under 7 years must be in a forward facing restraint or a booster
• Children under 7 years must not sit in the front seat (however, RACV recommends that children under 12 years do not sit in the front seat).

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</H4>Show her this, and hopefully this will change her mind about how she is seating her 2 year old. It doesn't say it here, but I believe that children between 4 and 7 are to be in a 5 point harness. At least that's what I read a few months ago.

I thought 4-7 had to be in a booster? but up to 4 had to be in a 5 point harness... and that is was only in victoria so far?

Mmmmm a tricky one. I cant write a detailed post as am about to go out.

I have the same problem when watchin neices and nephews, and unfortunately there is not much that I have been able to say.

No there is no law that states that a 5 point safety harness is required.
I have seen an episode on TodayTonight once a while ago that highlighted the problems with using an ordinary adult belt. As the belt cuts in during an accident and can cut their liver etc without you seeing any external injuries. Maybe you could go to their web site and have a look around.

I personally dont think there is too much of an issue of it not being anchored down, as long as the child weighs enough. The main issue here I think is the 5 pont safety harness. You can go out and buy one of these to convert a sash seat belt(like is used) to the safer and much more comfy for the child, 5 point one. Then you can also get a side clip thingy which holds part of the seatbelt together to turn it into the lap sash that goes through the middle of the safety harness. The safety harness has to be anchored like a car seat.

I think maybe rather than suggest she has got the wrong seat, just ask her if she knows that there is a product that they sell separately that goes with it to adjust the seat to a safer more comfortable ride for her little one. I am pretty sure you can pick them up on the car seat safety racks in Target and Kmart.

All the best.

The VicRoads website says:

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* 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.

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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.

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

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.