Many grew up during an age when seatbelts were optional, children's car seats were baby carriers, and booster seats were knees that allowed little ones to look out car windows while riding. Changing regulations changed the industry forever, however, when research proved that proved that the number one cause of death for children was car accidents. Yet, selecting the safest booster seat may be difficult for many.
As more and more cars hit the road each year, crashes remain the number one cause of death in children over the age of three. Unfortunately, much of this is due to the fact that children and their families are spending more time on the road each year. Although adult seatbelts are now required in many areas, they are not designed to hold little bodies securely during an impact. In fact, they can result in permanent injury or death as the harness pushes against delicate body parts in areas that are most vulnerable.
Strollers For Toddlers
Many young children outgrow their car seats before parents are prepared. Although they are still required to be buckled in, the booster seats of today are designed to elevate the child sufficiently in order to ensure the adult lap and shoulder harnesses fit as designed. To just peruse the option it's almost impossible to tell a good safety seat from a bad one, but there are some things to look for during the selection process.
It's important to know that all children's safety seats on the market today in the US must meet stringent governmental guidelines for crash and fire safety. They come in high back, low back, and combination styles. The first two are self-explanatory, but with the combination seat the high back can be removed. Even if they meet these standards, however, if they are not installed or used correctly, they can still present safety issues.
To determine the safest booster seat one should remember that it should fit the child as well as the car. It should also be easy for the parent to use, yet difficult for the child to get out of on their own. The only time a backless seat should be used is in the event the car has sufficient head support to provide protection in the event of a collision. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if a child is under 40 pounds they should remain in a convertible or forward-facing car seat until they reach that weight.
Some of the new latch booster seats have been redesigned for easier installation with anchors that are lower and tethers on top which make them much easier to use, but flaws in the design also make them much more difficult to fit securely. The best booster seats, therefore, come with a five-point harness and meet or exceed all governmental standards. Most importantly they must have a convertible feature that allows them to be changed as the child grows.
According to federal regulations, children must adhere to seatbelt laws just as adults do. The law dictates that they be in a booster seat from the time they are 40 pounds until they reach 80 pounds. Although budget is a consideration when purchasing a seat of this kind, the child's safety should be the primary consideration.