my neighbor and her 4 year old

[EzzieMom]

Hello all:)
I have a question. My neighbor has a 4 year old son that is out growing his Alpha Omega. She says she thinks he's over the tops slots (sometimes it look like he is, other times it doesn't). She said the car seat converts to a HBB.
So, my question is....is it safer for him to be in a 5 point that he's barely over the top slots of or safer for him to be in a HBB?:confused: I'm thinking HBB, but I don't want to give any bad advice. She was saying she was probably going to convert his seat soon.
She's in the middle of looking for a new HW 5 point for him as well(she's leaning towards the Radian65) but in the mean while wants him safe.
Any advice?
Thanks in advance!:)

[crunchierthanthou]

It's unsafe to use the harness if his shoulders are above the top slots. Is the headrest already in the top position? If so, she needs to stop using it as a harnessed seat immediately. The top slots are not reinforced and are for booster mode only.

[singingpond]

It's unsafe to use the harness if his shoulders are above the top slots. Is the headrest already in the top position? If so, she needs to stop using it as a harnessed seat immediately. The top slots are not reinforced and are for booster mode only.

Yes, hard to imagine a 4 y.o. still fitting in this seat in harnessed mode, so it seems very likely the headrest is up in the top position. My average-size DS outgrew his AO around age 3 (and I made the mistake of moving up the headrest into the top position, and had him riding around that way for over a month :( before discovering the problem). Oh, and I did wonder why the straps were so short when we were buckling him in.

OP, please emphasize to your neighbor that this is really quite unsafe -- have her read her manual (which, unfortunately, does not point out this safety issue as urgently as it should) -- it should be clear that the top position is FOR BOOSTER USE ONLY. If she is looking at buying the Radian to keep her child safe, she will probably be quite receptive to this safety information about his current seat.... one can hope so anyway.

Katrin

[EzzieMom]

It's unsafe to use the harness if his shoulders are above the top slots. Is the headrest already in the top position? If so, she needs to stop using it as a harnessed seat immediately. The top slots are not reinforced and are for booster mode only.

Thanks so much. I thought it wasn't a good idea, but wanted to make sure.
I'm not sure about the headrest. I'll ask her about it, I should be seeing her in about 1 hour (our kids go to pre-school together) Anyway- thank you so much. I will be passing this info. on to her:)

Yes, hard to imagine a 4 y.o. still fitting in this seat in harnessed mode, so it seems very likely the headrest is up in the top position. My average-size DS outgrew his AO around age 3 (and I made the mistake of moving up the headrest into the top position, and had him riding around that way for over a month :( before discovering the problem). Oh, and I did wonder why the straps were so short when we were buckling him in.

OP, please emphasize to your neighbor that this is really quite unsafe -- have her read her manual (which, unfortunately, does not point out this safety issue as urgently as it should) -- it should be clear that the top position is FOR BOOSTER USE ONLY. If she is looking at buying the Radian to keep her child safe, she will probably be quite receptive to this safety information about his current seat.... one can hope so anyway.

Katrin

Thank you too for all the info. He's a rather small 4 year old, but I would say still not overly small. I was surprised he was still fitting in the AO as well. Makes me wonder if he really is.
I've tried talking to her before about car seat safety and she is pretty open to listening and learning.
When I see her today, I'll ask to see the seat and see him in it.
I'll make sure to let her know about slots.
Thanks again!:)