Question Radian Safe stop use

aept · May 8, 2012

My second son, E, has been thinning out recently. He is four years old next week. He uses a FF radian 65 in one of the cars. He is hovering right around forty pounds. I took the safe-stop off months ago when I realized he was over forty pounds. Now he might dip back under.
His naked weight today was 40.2
Is it better to have the safe stop on and be slightly above the limit, or have it off and be slightly below 40 lbs?
Also, is the 40 lb weight clothed? That would help a little. We are about to hit summer though and a t- shirt, shorts, and crocs weigh next to nothing.
I will add this ff radian is in a tight 3-across and so I wish to avoid lots of uninstalling and reinstalling. He rides in it (the Prius) about 2-3 times per week.

Brigala · May 9, 2012

The 40 lbs is a clothed weight. So I would say leave it off. If he has a major issue like a tummy bug that makes him lose a significant amount of weight, you might want to weigh him and double check.

It would be nice if Diono would put a range in which it's "optional" but they don't. It wouldn't hurt to call them and ask what they say about it. I'm sure lots of kids spend a long time hovering in that 39-41 lb mark. If that happens to me I'll probably use a different car seat for a while.

HeatherMo745 · May 9, 2012

Ooo, I'm interested to know this also. Luckily our RF weight max is 45lbs so I'm hoping that DD never has to use the safestop, but just incase I'd love to know which is better!

ketchupqueen · May 9, 2012

It's definitely better to have it off and be slightly under 40, than on and slightly over, in my opinion, because of how it works. It decreases neck loads by increasing head excursion slightly. I'd rather risk slightly increased neck loads than too-high head excursion, personally.

tiggercat · May 9, 2012

ketchupqueen said:
It's definitely better to have it off and be slightly under 40, than on and slightly over, in my opinion, because of how it works. It decreases neck loads by increasing head excursion slightly. I'd rather risk slightly increased neck loads than too-high head excursion, personally.

This, for sure. You don't want extra head excursion if he happens to be over 40lbs.

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aept · May 9, 2012

Brigala said:
The 40 lbs is a clothed weight. So I would say leave it off. If he has a major issue like a tummy bug that makes him lose a significant amount of weight, you might want to weigh him and double check.

It would be nice if Diono would put a range in which it's "optional" but they don't. It wouldn't hurt to call them and ask what they say about it. I'm sure lots of kids spend a long time hovering in that 39-41 lb mark. If that happens to me I'll probably use a different car seat for a while.

Seriously! An optional range would be great!

I'll keep him in his heavy sketchers sneakers and not break out the crocs quite yet

aept · May 9, 2012

ketchupqueen said:
It's definitely better to have it off and be slightly under 40, than on and slightly over, in my opinion, because of how it works. It decreases neck loads by increasing head excursion slightly. I'd rather risk slightly increased neck loads than too-high head excursion, personally.

Thanks, ketchup queen and tiggercat! I figured someone would have a scientific opinion on what to do. That ff radian is pretty much the only option for him in that 3-across so I want to have it safe without obsessing too much. We'll be sure to weigh at least once a week, or more often if he's looking skinnier or gets sick. (knock on wood - hopefully not!)

Brianna · May 9, 2012

The SKJP engineer has said that it is better to have the SS on for a 41-42 pound child than to have it off for a 38-39 pound child.

.
http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=1728093&postcount=30

tiggercat · May 9, 2012

Brianna said:
.
http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=1728093&postcount=30

Uh, ssk/Diono says a lot of things...

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Brianna · May 9, 2012

tiggercat said:
Uh, ssk/Diono says a lot of things...

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:shrug-shoulders: Just thought I'd share info from a recent thread on Safe Stop

aept · May 9, 2012

Thanks for the post - it directed me to the other thread. Wow, that generated a lot of discussion!
I plan to keep ours off unless E loses at least 1-1.5 lbs from where he is now.

tiggercat · May 9, 2012

Brianna said:
:shrug-shoulders: Just thought I'd share info from a recent thread on Safe Stop

Sorry I might have been showing my frustration with the company there. It was a great link to share. Thanks

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Question Radian Safe stop use

aept

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Brigala

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HeatherMo745

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ketchupqueen

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tiggercat

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aept

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aept

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Brianna

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aept

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