Next Step

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CHAOSbluegrass

Guest
Next Step

Hi guys! Been a while since I last posted, but I have a question for ya's. My son is 3yr 6mo's old, and in florida, at 4yrs, a child is ready for seatbelt. Well im not sure a seatbelt is enough, but I know his carseat will be a little small when he's 4. Whats the next step?
 
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C

carsafety

Guest
Some options

Keeping your son in a 5-point harness until at least 40 pounds is the best option. Many companies sell "combination" boosters which have a harness to 40 pounds, then act as a belt positioning booster to 80 pounds. I use the Century NextStep DX, but there are many other good models.

A safer option would be one of the newer carseats that go above 40 pounds in a harness. The Britax SuperElite is one, the new Simpson Racing seat is another. Both may be difficult to find for a couple months, though.

Finally, if your child is mature enough to sit properly in a seatbelt already, you can use a booster seat with or without a back. Britax makes some nice models at the top end, the Evenflo RightFit is a perfectly good backless model on the low end. If you have a local Ford dealer you know, see if they have any booster certificates left. You can get a free RightFit, or a discount on some other models at Toys R Us.

Also, check out the buying guide links for some specific recommendations:

www.car-safety.org/guide.html
 
C

CHAOSbluegrass

Guest
Re: Some options

Is a five point harness the belts that come over his shoulders and latch at the bottom of the seat? And...what is a Rightfit?
 
C

carsafety

Guest
Harnesses

Yes, the 5-point harness is the typical harness that most carseats have. Two straps come over the shoulders then latch to a buckle at the crotch, then go over the thighs and to the sides. So, there are two points above the shoulders, two points to the sides of the legs and one in the crotch. This is generally the safest system for front facing passengers (even adults).

The Rightfit is the most basic booster. It basically looks like a shaped pillow to sit on. It raises the child high enough to use the regular seatbelt, and it also has a special guide to make sure the seatbelt is routed correctly across the shoulder and chest instead of the neck.

Other boosters usually have high backs on them, and some have a harness which can be used to 40 pounds.
 
C

carsafety

Guest
Never a problem! If you have more questions please ask.

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