Cara is 9 years old and she still gets strapped into her booster seat every time we get into the car. This practice seems to be an exception instead of the rule when I look at other kids Cara’s age. Is my child too old for a booster seat? NO! A big fat N O.

Is my child too old for a booster seat?

Cara has never complained about being strapped in. Not that it would make a difference though. My child’s safety is top priority and that is the rule. She will be safely strapped into her RECARO Monza Nova Seatfix booster seat till the day that she is old enough (and big enough) to use only the seat belt.

If you are unsure about why using only the seat belt to secure your child is not adequate, please listen up…

Seat belts are designed for adults!

A booster seat will position the seat belt in the correct places on a child’s growing body. The seat belt should fit solidly over the shoulder and chest and low on the hips. An ill-fitting seat belt can cut into your child’s throat, cause serious injuries to internal organs, damage the spine… I think you get the gist.

I’ve noticed that most kids Cara’s age are not in booster seats. I’ve heard kids proclaiming very proudly that they don’t have to sit in a booster seat anymore, that they can sit in the front seat or (even worse) feeling very chuffed that they didn’t have to put on their safety belt when driving with so-and-so. Kids have also asked Cara why she has to sit in a seat that’s meant for ‘babies’. Dear parents, what are you teaching your kids? And why are you putting them in danger?

Here are the facts (courtesy of #CarseatFullstop):

The full back seat belt positioning booster seat

Your child needs a full back seat belt positioning booster seat from the time they outgrow their toddler seat and harness until they are 1.5m tall (between 4 and 10/12 years old). The seat is always forward facing. You should only ever purchase a high-backed booster seat. The back rest should provide “wings” that offer side impact protection, protecting the child’s head and neck. The high-back booster will have guides to direct your car’s three-point seat belt through. This positions the seat belt safely over the strongest points on your child – the shoulder, chest and upper thighs – as opposed to their vulnerable neck and stomach.

DID YOU KNOW?

A car seat belt is designed to be used for an adult male over 1.5m tall. Its job is to distribute the force of a crash to the body’s strongest points – mid-shoulder, chest and pelvis. On a child, a seat belt sits over their 2 most vulnerable points – the neck/throat and the belly area containing all the vital organs. The seat belt becomes a definitive danger to a child who isn’t using a booster seat.

Tag: car seat safety