WWYD? Booster or 5-point?? SNoW

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mykidsmylife

Well-known member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #1

So we have about 6" of snow on the ground and it is supposed to snow off and on utnil tomorrow.

Johnathon rode the bus to school as I feel it is safer since they are German drivers who have lived here their entire lives. They know the roads better then me. The roads are plowed.

However, I am going to pick him up from school.

Should I put him back in the Apex until the snow clears, or does it not matter?
He still fits but sits perfect in the booster.

TIA!
signed,
Paranoid mommy who moved here from the desert of TX.

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Nov 24, 2008

• #2

Well, 5 pt is safer than booster. Every step up in car seats (RF to FF, FF to booster) is a step down in safety. So me, I would put him in the Apex.

 

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mykidsmylife

Well-known member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #3

Thanks that is what I was thinking.

I don't even know why I asked.

Can he sit in it safely with snow bibs? I know not the coat but would snow bibs be okay?

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Nov 24, 2008

• #4

Well, there is still going to be compression. Try with and without and check to difference in the harness.

 

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mykidsmylife

Well-known member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #5

Ugh!!! Okay. I am hoping the school send him out w/o them on but I doubt it.
I figure it would most likely cause compression around the hip area since there is nothing to interefere with his shoulders.... Make sense.

I HATE the winter!!!!! I really miss El Paso.

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Nov 24, 2008

• #6

I wouldn't worry as much about bibs as I do jacket. Reason? There isn't as much stuff under the harness, but still.

 

Kat_Momof3

New member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #7

I agree... but if the bibs are puffy, you can pull them down to his knees! (just plan ahead and bring a blanket for him to snuggle with and also let him use his coat backwards over the buckles.)

 

keri1292

Well-known member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #8

Is this your first time driving in snow?

If so, try to get to an empty parking lot to test out your driving. The antilock brakes feel weird and it's nice to practice straightening out your car when it slides on the ice. IMO, it makes it less shocking when it happens on the road. That's how I learned to drive in the snow. Doing lots of donuts in the aboned schools parking lot!

 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Nov 24, 2008

• #9

keri1292 said:

Is this your first time driving in snow?

If so, try to get to an empty parking lot to test out your driving. The antilock brakes feel weird and it's nice to practice straightening out your car when it slides on the ice. IMO, it makes it less shocking when it happens on the road. That's how I learned to drive in the snow. Doing lots of donuts in the aboned schools parking lot!

Click to expand...

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

I grew up in Alaska and first learned how to drive on snow. This is the absolute best way to learn how to handle your car in snow! You need to learn how it responds to sliding.

Also - GO SLOW. Number one rule for driving in snow is simply to slow down.

 

BW1426

Well-known member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #10

I am a born and raised Northern Michigan girl so snowy driving is a way of life. My greatest concern about driving on snowy roads is roll overs and I think a child benefits substantially from a 5 point harness in that case. If he still fits in the Apex, I'd use it.

 

S

*Spoiledinmyhouseofblue*

New member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #11

I agree with everyone else on how to practice if you haven't driven in snow.

I would so put him in a 5-point harness..... I am so worried about my son without a 5-point harness, I wish I could put him back in a 5-point especially in the winter.....

I live in the suburbs of chicago and grew up driving in crazy snow.

 

christineka

New member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #12

Yeah about practicing. I was a new mom in NH (grew up in CA) when one day I had to drive a very far distance in the snow. It was awful and scary. Now I live where there is much less snow, but still try to drive as little as possible in it. Dh got me new tires one snowy day after he drove the van around the block. I ought to try again this year with the new tires.

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #13

I think I'd use the 5 point for the trip, especially since you're concerned about the roads.

 

CTPDMom

Ambassador - CPS Technician

• Nov 24, 2008

• #14

I'd use the 5-point too.

And my New Englander parents taught me to drive in the snow by telling me to attempt to never have to use my brake. Going slow to begin with is important, drive in a lower gear and/or downshift to slow yourself instead of using the brake.

As a 911 dispatcher for 10 years I was called in to work in every major Nor'easter and not once got stuck or had an accident. And I've never owned a 4 wheel drive vehicle...just front wheel drive ones.

 

scoutingbear

New member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #15

Just another tip for driving in the snow that I was taught as a new driver on a vacation...step on the gas like you are stepping on an egg. Very gently and slowly. You don't want to break the egg!

 

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Maedze

New member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #16

I'd do the Apex just because the booster you have provides no side impact protection really.

 

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mykidsmylife

Well-known member

• Nov 24, 2008

• #17

Thanks.
I have driven in snow a lot. I lived in MA for 2 yrs. Also in NC we had lots of ice I drove on a lot.. LOL.
I was more worried about the hills out here. We are in the mountains of Germany (Bavaria) so there is lots of hills.


I put the Apex back in .. He will have to ride in his booster tomorrow when we go get my sister. We have to fit 4 adults and 3 carseats in the van so he will have to use his booster.
However he is going back into his Apex until he outgrows it or the winter is over. He can get over that. LOL.