Car Seat Boosters Are Not For All Children

There are some children who should NOT be placed in boosters.

Any child below 40 pounds and under 4 years of age should not be seated in a booster seat but remain in a 5 point harness at all times while travelling in a car.

A harness restrains a chile while the booster does not. What as booster does is to simply "boosts" the child up in order to make the adult safety belt fit a child-sized body. Children under 4 years of age do not possess the ability to sit perfectly at all times. Children who move about in the car, leaning forward to pick up a dropped a toy or who turns around to see something from them will not be protected in a crash and therefore is at risk of serious injuries and possibly death.

A child of this age would easily fall asleep in the car. The slumping that occurs causes them to be improperly positioned and therefore should remain in a 5 point harness for that trip.

The 5 point harness should be used for children until at least when they reached the age of 5 years old.

Child Safety Outside the Home

A lot has been said about safety and protecting children when outside the home -- yet we keep hearing of crimes against children at schools, parks, shopping centers, etc.

The question now is : Are we doing enough?

My thoughts are : Child safety is the responsibility of us all. When we notice something not right - even with someone else's child, then we need to step in to correct the situation.

If you see someone who you may think is a stranger talking to a kid, your instincts may trigger you to apprehend the person and query his/her business with the child.
Look at the kid's face... is there fear, worry, shock? These are tell-tale signs to look out for.

Most of us (me included) are often worried that it may turn out to be an aunt or uncle, neighbour, etc with the child but rest assured, mostly they would understand that you have the child's interest at heart when approaching them.

Only when we all show we care for one another will this situation improve.

Putting a carseat in the front seat

Parents sometimes do have the tendency to place the child car seat in the front passenger seat when driving. Although this seems as a convemient location for the parent to keep a close eye on the child, please do take note that airbags are considered deadly to infants in rear-facing carseats placed at the front passenger seat. This also generally applies to children under 12 years of age using the seatbelts.

The front passenger airbag MUST be disabled, if possible, should you really need to use a rear-facing child seat in the front. If a child must ride in the front, you should also move the front seat as far back as it will go. Please only consider a front seat if no other option is available..

Improving the Performance of Child Seats

First of all, only use approved child restraints. They must meet meet the federal guidelines where they are sold. Ideally the child seat chosen should for the child, the vehicle and the budget of the family.

Take time to read and understand the car seat manual thoroughly. Do install the seat exactly as directed in the manual. Doing so ensures proper function on the child seat plus does not violates warranties associated with it.

Ensure the seat is installed tightly and only allowing limited movement, if necessary. Do not place heavy blankets underneath the harness. In some unfortunate instances, children have been reported to have been ejected from the seat in an accident due to the harness becoming slack due to overtop bulky clothing.

Care seats do have expiry dates so please make sure you check them carefully. Due to varying temperatures within the vehicle after time hairline fractures could possibly occur within the child seat itself. Most car seats expire after 5 to 6 years from date of manufacture (not purchase). Keep this in mind when purchasing child car seats that are on sale!

Should the child seat be involved in any auto accident, discontinue use of the seat. This is mainly due to stresses towards that car seat that may have occurred during the incident which may have weakened the structure somewhat.

Cooshie Boosters and Child Seats

Car seats and boosters, also known as cooshie boosters, have become compulsory items to have in the car for a child due to recent regulations. This article outlines the difference between the types of seats and why they are so important.

A cooshie booster is something that it used in conjunction with your normal seat belt. The first type has no back, but just a base. Its main purpose is to raise the child so that the seat belt goes correctly across the shoulder, without the seat booster raising the height, the belt can cut across the neck.

The car seat will also allow the waist strap of the belt to fit correctly around the hip. If the booster is not used then the belt can slide up to the stomach which could cause internal injuries if an accident occurred.

It's important to point out that this type of car seat booster must be used in conjunction with a seat belt that goes across the neck as well as the waist. Otherwise, the child's head may fly forward and hit the back of the seat in front.

If this type of seat is used, then your rear seats should have a head rest as well which should cup the head at ear level. This will help reduce sideways movement of the head which could be dangerous.

If you car doesn't have head rests then the second type of booster can be used. This car seat booster comes complete with a high back rest and a head rest as well. This type if car seat can also be used with cars that already have a head rest.

If your don't use a car seat booster then the child's position could be putting them at risk. If the belt is too high across the stomach, the child could in fact slip underneath it if an accident occurred. Sometimes, the child will place their arm over the shoulder strap to prevent it hurting their neck. This again will put them at risk which can be prevented with a seat booster.

It is not recommended that the child sits in the front seat as their head may hit the dash board. They should also not sit in the front if the car is fitted with an air bag.

For babies and toddlers, you will need to use a special seat before the baby is big enough to use a booster. At first the baby will need to use a seat which allows them to face backwards until the neck muscles are strong enough and they are of sufficient weight. Each car seat will come with guidelines which you must read.

Concerning what age and weight your child should be to use a car seat booster will depend on the country or state you are in. In Washington for example, a seat of this type should be used up to 6 years old or 60 pounds in weight. Make sure you check the regulations for your state or country on which type of seats should be used and when.

Phil Wheatley is an Internet Web Designer who creates sites covering a broad range of subjects, his web site Baby Shower Invitations hones in on key topics relating to baby products and resources
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