STAR seats for school busses

[momtoirs]

I'm not sure the best place to post this, but I'll start here since its an installation question.

I'm wondering how tightly the STAR seats should fit on the seat. I put kids in these seats almost every day at work and I've been wondering if they are too loose. I'm assuming that its 1" or less of movement, but since there is no "belt path", I'm not sure where to check. Any ideas? I've checked the instructions for the seat and it didn't say.

Here's the instructions manual: STAR Seat instructions (http://safeguardseat.com/bus/downloads/PN913439_Rev01_STAR%20Instruction%20Manual.pdf)

Thanks!

Tina

[ketchupqueen]

Personally I'd check at the back, where the belt path WOULD be, for side-to-side, and I'd check at the front gently just to make sure it doesn't slide off the seat or anything.

You could of course call SafeGuard, but I don't know how long it would take to get to someone who would know...

[skiersnowboarder3]

I agree with the previous poster. While we're on this topic though, I was reading the instructions with regards to the chest strap and the instructions say to put the chest strap under the harness. Every time I've seen a Star seat being used (everyday), the orange chest strap has been over the harness. How harmful do you think that would be. Intuitively, you would think the chest strap would go over the harness so that the forces would be spread over the shoulders first. I can change the way I buckle my one kid in but if everyone is being trained wrong then there's not much I can do about everyone else.

I just noticed it said

Important: Orange chest strap must be
placed under the shoulder straps.

in bold. Probably not good.

[momtoirs]

Here's what I got from SafeGuard today:

The STAR seat's cam-wrap style installation uses three straps to secure the seat onto the bus seat. The outer straps are tightened first, then the center strap. It is acceptable to compress the seat foam when tightening the straps to ensure a secure installation.

While the 1" rule is applicable, if all three straps are properly tightened, you should have less than 1" of movement. To check for movement, place your hands at the back of the seat base.

The seat I'm wondering about moves a lot. It hasn't always. I'll just mention it to the driver when he's at school on Monday (no school tomorrow) and I'm sure he'll fix it.

Thanks for your input.

Regarding the chest strap question: we don't currently have anyone at our site using the strap, so I've never actually seen one used. I'd go by the manual, though.

Tina

[mommycat]

I just noticed it said

Important: Orange chest strap must be
placed under the shoulder straps.

in bold. Probably not good.
Better yet, above that it has one of those warning boxes with:
WARNING! DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur:
Torso support must be placed under shoulder straps.

[skiersnowboarder3]

I saw that too. I put my kid's orange strap under his harness today. I just hope they are emphasizing that when they are training people. I have a feeling they aren't because I've seen it done wrong more times than I've seen it done right. :thumbsdown: