Question Booster vs Harness--Safety Comparison?

O

ox14au

New member
Hi everyone,

I realize I'm asking a perennial question. Assuming a child is the right size for and can sit properly in a booster, which is safer, a booster or a harness? Here are my particular options:

Child: 50 lbs, 44", nearly 5yo, sits well in a booster. Would you choose:

1) Diono Radian 120 harness, buckled in with car seat buckle
2) Diono Radian 120 harness, using Superlatch
3) Diono Monterey booster

There are no considerations other than what is safest. Thanks a lot for any help you can offer.
 
ADS
wendytthomas

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
At four years old I'd use the harness, no question.

Since your child is over the weight limit for the lower anchors, I'd install with the seatbelt and top tether.

A booster is best for a child over five, and many are closer to six before they sit properly 100% of the time. Once they reach that booster maturity (emotional and skeletal) then there's no difference that we see in safety between the two. Both are remarkably protective.

But since there's more of a chance of a too young child being injured in a booster than an older child being injured in a harness (assuming both kids are within limits of each seat, and they're being used properly), I'd err on the side of a harness a year or two longer than necessary than move a child out even a day too early.

Wendy
 

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