Question Is there a too high for FF straps?

HaileysMommy

New member
A fellow cso'er asked me a question that I can't answer. Can you have the harness on an FF seat too high? I was thinking that it had something to do in relation to their ears. Ok real life scenario...a kid could technically go down a slot bit if the next slot up isn't ridiculously high is it a big deal for the straps to not be moved down?
 
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jjordan

Moderator
Usually the instruction manuals will say to use the harness setting that is closest to shoulder level without going below (or something like that). So using a setting above what you should use is technically misuse. That said, back in the day when lots of seats didn't have all the slots reinforced for FF use, it was possible to have a child FF in a harnessed seat with the straps WAY above their shoulders, and that was the correct harness setting.

I admit that sometimes, for short trips to/from preschool, ds rides in his sister's FF seats and the harness straps are a setting above what they should be for ds. It is technically misuse, but it doesn't bother me.
 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Nope. At or above. Ten years ago usually only the top slot was reinforced, so when the child went forward facing at 20 pounds the straps went up as high as the went in the seat.

Wendy
 

Baylor

New member
wendytthomas said:
Nope. At or above. Ten years ago usually only the top slot was reinforced, so when the child went forward facing at 20 pounds the straps went up as high as the went in the seat.

Wendy

Interesting. I know it's safe it still looks weird to me.

auto correct hates me
 

Pixels

New member
Keep in mind that when only the top slot was reinforced for forward facing, that's how the seats were tested and approved. Now that (usually) all slots are reinforced for forward facing, they aren't tested that way. They are tested according to manufacturer's instructions, which (generally) are to use the slots closest to the shoulders that are at or above.

Whether using too-high slots would make a difference in crash performance or not, I don't know. I do know that other things that don't seem like they should make a difference definitely can make a big difference. Therefore, it's not something I'm willing to take a gamble on.
 

HaileysMommy

New member
Very interesting. Thanks ladies. I carry a lot of foster kids due to my job so it's nice to know that I don't have to switch harness slots over something like a half inch.
 

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