Carseat on the school bus question...

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juliebelle

New member

• Jan 22, 2008

• #1

My sister's son is going to be riding the bus to school a couple days a week...private school...small bus. They say she needs a car seat for him. They only have lap belts.

He is 5. She figures she needs to buy a booster seat..but will there be any benefit to a booster when there is only a lap belt?

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Jan 22, 2008

• #2

No, you cannot use a booster with a lap belt only. It specifically goes against the manufacturer's directions and is highly dangerous.

For a lap belt only she'll need a harnessed seat and it'll need to be left on the bus permanently or installed properly every time.

Wendy

 

J

juliebelle

New member

• Jan 22, 2008

• #3

yea...that's what we were thinking. it didn't make sense to have a booster with a lap belt. he sits in a marathon in her car.

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Jan 22, 2008

• #4

If she can get a proper fit, I'd suggest a Radian since school buses do not have top tethers.

 

H

HEVY

New member

• Jan 22, 2008

• #5

Maybe she could ask about the 86y or kidY Harnesses they use on the buses, they can be used with a booster. Easy to install and light enough for repeated moves. Not to mention the cost.

 

H

HEVY

New member

• Jan 22, 2008

• #6

After thought: School buses have thier tethers on the floor behind the seat like in a van.

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Jan 22, 2008

• #7

HEVY said:

After thought: School buses have thier tethers on the floor behind the seat like in a van.

Click to expand...

Not according to the LATCH manual.

 

H

HEVY

New member

• Jan 22, 2008

• #8

How about this one?

http://www.ezonpro.com/products/schoolBus/1086camHarness.shtml

 

H

HEVY

New member

• Jan 22, 2008

• #9

This one is even better.

http://www.ezonpro.com/products/schoolBus/kidCam.shtml

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Jan 22, 2008

• #10

There may or may not be an appropriate place to anchor it, The OP will likely do better to just choose a seat that installs well without the tether. :twocents:

 

melniemi

New member

• Jan 23, 2008

• #11

http://www.ezonpro.com/products/schoolBus/seatMount.shtml

Could always try one of these with a harness.

 

J

jessica52877

New member

• Jan 23, 2008

• #12

Is this something new? I have never heard of carseats on school buses.

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Jan 23, 2008

• #13

School buses use something called compartmentalization to protect occupants. It works very well for older children and adults, but for smaller children (under around age 6-ish), it's not very effective for a plethora of reasons.

hence the reason you would want a smaller child harnessed.

 

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flipper68

Senior Community Member

• Jan 24, 2008

• #14

:twocents: I don't like this at ALL. I've been around private schools (and public schools) enough to know they will ask parents to do many things that are actually the responsibility of the school. After all, they are providing transportation (either for additional $$ or as part of the tuition & fees).

1) Just 'cause the school calls it a "bus" doesn't mean it's truly a school bus. It could be a van. (Which bus? What year? How many passenger capacity?)

2) This child can not be the only little one the school has had on the bus - what has been done in the past/what is being used now? (Not that that's the best or even acceptable practice, but I'm certainly curious to learn how the situation has been "solved" for other children.) I find it hard to believe families are expected to provide a CR for their child's school use.

3) If a CR is purchased for this use: Will it REMAIN on the bus all the time for the exclusive use of this child? Will it be used by other children and/or removed frequently (or even occasionally) for other trips (ie - field trip)?

4) No matter what form of CR is selected: Who will be responsible for proper install and use for each trip? Who will be responsible for safely storing the seat if it is removed?

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Jan 24, 2008

• #15

I totally agree.