how do i respond to this?

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NicoleCPST

Senior Community Member

• Mar 2, 2011

• #1

This stems from a conversation on FB. One mom lives overseas, has told me about letting her child ride in her lap. She wants safety tips, how to keep him safe when there is no carseat available. She thinks putting him in her lap in the seatbelt with her is safer than nothing. Help me, I'm clueless how to respond in an educational manner.

 

ctbcleveland

Well-known member

• Mar 2, 2011

• #2

As a starting point - are there seatbelts available? Many countries don't even have seatbelts in their cars.

How old is the child?

 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician

• Mar 2, 2011

• #3

I've heard that without car seats kids are safest sitting on the floor.

 

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NicoleCPST

Senior Community Member

• Mar 2, 2011

• #4

She does have seatbelts. The child just turned three.

I seem to remember hearing that in a crash if both an adult and child are in the seatbelt, the adults weight would crush the child. Is that right?

 

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Jan06twinmom

New member

• Mar 2, 2011

• #5

I was also thinking that the baby in her lap becomes her airbag in an accident. Isn't that the issue with using a sling/carrier with lap babies on the plane.

I would think the safest place would be for the child to be in his or her own seatbelt in the car instead of unrestrained or in someone else's lap.

Melanie

 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician

• Mar 2, 2011

• #6

Oh, I was thinking this was a baby.

What country? If car seats aren't readily available, can someone send her a seat? Even a booster would be better than nothing. (If there are shoulder belts...and possibly if there aren't.)

 

Angela

New member

• Mar 2, 2011

• #7

LISmama810 said:

I've heard that without car seats kids are safest sitting on the floor.

Click to expand...

I second this. The seat belt would be an okay choice too. What about putting something under them to boost them up? I doubt it would stay under them in the event of a crash though.

 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician

• Mar 2, 2011

• #8

Yeah, if there are no other options I'd rather see the kid in his own seatbelt (even a poorly fitted one) than on the parent's lap.

 

ctbcleveland

Well-known member

• Mar 2, 2011

• #9

The travel vests sold in the states would be a great option for her. They fold up small into a diaper bag.

 

Jennifer mom to my 7

Well-known member

• Mar 2, 2011

• #10

NicoleCPST said:

She does have seatbelts. The child just turned three.

I seem to remember hearing that in a crash if both an adult and child are in the seatbelt, the adults weight would crush the child. Is that right?

Click to expand...

Jan06twinmom said:

I was also thinking that the baby in her lap becomes her airbag in an accident. Isn't that the issue with using a sling/carrier with lap babies on the plane.

I would think the safest place would be for the child to be in his or her own seatbelt in the car instead of unrestrained or in someone else's lap.

Melanie

Click to expand...

Yes, both of these are true. The child takes the crash force of the adult behind them, and is crushed. My husband has seen it, but doesn't talk about it. It WILL happen if the belts are shared that way. And if the child isn't in the belt, mom cannot hang on to child in the event of a crash. Child gets sent through the windsheild.

The backseat in a lap only belt would be better than double belted, or held by an adult. If they can, even a high back booster in the back with lap shoulder belt would be safe. Not safEST, but safe, kwim?

 

Evolily

New member

• Mar 2, 2011

• #11

I need more info on what oversees means. Off the top of my head, the UK has the bubblebum, which is an inflatable booster she could put in her purse.

In lew of a booster, child in her own lap/shoulder belt would be the only option IMnsHO.

 

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NicoleCPST

Senior Community Member

• Mar 2, 2011

• #12

They are in India(bangalore).

The scenarios in the past, it was when there were too many people in the vehicle to fit a carseat in.

 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician

• Mar 2, 2011

• #13

NicoleCPST said:

They are in India(bangalore).

The scenarios in the past, it was when there were too many people in the vehicle to fit a carseat in.

Click to expand...

Well, then obviously there's no safe solution. I'd put the child on the floor.

Edit: Wait, do you mean not enough room for one, or people occupying all the seatbelts?

 

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NicoleCPST

Senior Community Member

• Mar 2, 2011

• #14

I took it as not enough room for the seat to physically fit in the car with the adult occupants all in it as well. Assuming not a seatbelt either. in which case I'd say stay home. She knows this is not acceptable, and wants to know wha tthe safest thign to do would be if they wasnt a carseat available for some reason out of her control.