Used Booster Question.

lil.miss32 · Jul 10, 2011

So none of us would use a carseat found on the side of the road, or coming from somebody that we didn't KNOW. But what about a booster? No back booster (or LBB)... since it's not actually holding the child IN (the seatbelt is), and only boosts a child UP, would you use it? If not, why?

monica-m · Jul 10, 2011

How do you know that it isn't crashed? What if it has hidden damage and stress that would cause it to shatter when absorbing crash forces. Just because the seat itself is not holding your child in does not mean you should use one that you do not know the history of. Boosters are generally cheaper than harnessed seats so why risk it?

carseatcoach · Jul 10, 2011

No, especially when I can get a brand-new one for $13.

lil.miss32 · Jul 10, 2011

Does the booster actually absorb crash forces?

I'm not trying to start a debate, as I don't have a booster-age child. I'm just honestly curious, and trying to figure out why it matters. I understand WHY for harness seats, and HBB, but I guess I don't get it yet with the LBB.

carseatcoach · Jul 10, 2011

The arms act as artificial hips. They keep the belt off the abdomen and do absorb some crash forces.

Brigala · Jul 10, 2011

I would be a lot less nervous about a used booster of unknown background, however as has been pointed out, when they cost $13.50 at Walmart, why?

Defrost · Jul 10, 2011

The booster seat does absorb some crash forces. My concern (completely based on my own personal worries, not any actual data) is that my kid might be initially restrained by the previously crashed booster, but during the crash this second (or third?) round of crash-forces breaks the booster, and my kid slams back down onto... what? A crack? A sharp edge? While I doubt it could be enough to cause serious harm, I'll pay $20 for a new one just to prevent a scratch or a bruise on my kid.

carseatcoach · Jul 10, 2011

Brigala said:
I would be a lot less nervous about a used booster of unknown background

I agree that if I suddenly found myself on the side of the road with a 5yo, a mystery harnessed seat, and a mystery booster, I'd use the mystery booster.

lil.miss32 · Jul 10, 2011

Reason I asked is yesterday, I was called by a friend, asking me to go pick up her 2 older kiddos at the hospital (she took the baby to the ER). I didn't have a seat that would fit the oldest, and so I had to use another friend's booster. (Her son is the same size as Michael) After I got home, she told me she found it on the side of the road.

Used Booster Question.

lil.miss32

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