Half lapbelt half shoulder belt?

[jennsmile]

I have a 1998 Mercury sable. In the back middle there is a lap belt. But it has a round knob that you attach a shoulder strap too. So how do I treat it for carseats? As a lap belt and no booster should go there? Or as a shoulder / lap combination?

Jenn

[AdventureMom]

Alot of cars have this - just treat it as a regular lap/shoulder belt... :)

[papooses]

Many techs haven't seen this (it wasn't mentioned in my course) -- but yes, they're safe ... assuming it's used properly: I personally believe there's an increased risk of puting young kids in boosters with this belt type!
An immature child could easily "disengage"/unhook the shoulder belt ~ I'd prefer extended harnesses especially in this instance (otherwise there could potentially be some behavior modification issues) :o

[joolsplus3]

It's fine for boosters...we've never had ours detach or do anything that would make me think it wasn't safe...except it's a lot harder to buckle than a regular lap shoulderbelt (probably because we put different seats and kids there all the time, and adjusting the lapbelt is a huge bugaboo every time, lol)

[jennsmile]

Thanks. I wasn't sure. Hadn't tried it with any carseat yet but figured in the future I might need too as we are due with #3 in Sept. I think I am the only one who has riden in that seat so far. And for me I felt it was safe.

And yes I do extened harness so I will probably just install a carseat, but I was curious for those times when Dad has little ones. Especially since I have 1 that is old enough for a booster and we use it for his back up seat when he is out with dad.

So here is a question. When he rides alone with Dad is he safer in the middle seat or better on the side were there is a normal shoulder belt? He would not undo it. He is my very easy going obedient child. Part of the reason I felt semi okay with him in a booster at a young age, though we have since reharnessed him.

Jenn

[papooses]

I mean for tricky kids who won't leave it alone -- Leila is fully capable of undoing the one in my friends' Aztec (& likes to show that off when we're parked), but I trust her while we're driving (although I am always in the vehicle, too, LOL)

[papooses]

The middle is safer when a seat can be properly installed/used there....

This type of belt is GREAT -- sooooo easy -- for installing harness carseats in the center!

& if you do extended harnessing then chances are you won't have the bother of a kid constantly messing with the belt (ya know, the type who simply must do everything they see, especially if it has to do with using their hands :cool:)

[jennsmile]

So for DH and Ds riding along with DS in a Turbo Booster as I don't move his Huskey which is safer?

Outboard
or Center?

Jenn

[papooses]

I'm confused now :rolleyes:

Which seat is usually where in which vehicle :confused:

[jennsmile]

Usually DS rides with me in my car in a Husky.

His Dad's car is the Sable with the belt in question.

So if it is just DS and Dad in the Sable, DS is in a Turbo booster outboard as I was unsure about the center seatbelt.

So is it safer for him to be in the Turbo booster out board or center?

I don't move my husky unless I absolutely must.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. Occasionally we all ride in DH's Sable. DS1 in Turbo booster, outboard, DS #2 in scenara or AO FF outboard. And occasionally in end up the middle back.

I could confuse you more but I won't.


Jenn

[papooses]

Got'cha :) No worries ;)

So long as you're in the vehicle to make sure he doesn't unhook it, then I'd prefer the middle -- if Leila were to ride in my friend's vehicle without me, I'd want her outboard just because I don't know how she would behave with my friends in my absence & they're not as CPSavvy!

Every kid is different :D