Why booster seats?

[LyndaSLP]

Why booster seats?

Why do children (once they outgrow their carseat) need to be in a booster seat?

Once again, I understand why....but same girlfriend as the baby rear facing question.....she has a 5 yr old who just uses the adult shoulder strap while sitting in the back seat.


If someone could just put the reasoning into concise wording... maybe that would help my friend understand? I am surely not doing a good job of it.....(luckily she knows I keep trying b/c I care for her kids!)

 

[Caviller]

Seatbelts and boosters

Seatbelts are designed for adult passengers. On many children, the shoulder belt rides across the neck, and the lap belt rides up on the tummy. Plus, children who cannot bend their knees at the edge of the vehicle seat tend to slouch, making matters worse.

When the seatbelts fit improperly, there can be severe injuries in a crash. Granted, it is better than nothing at all, but even an inexpensive booster (like the $23 Evenflo Right Fit) can make a big difference. This booster can be obtained free with a voucher obtained at Ford dealers and some area organizations. In addition, some children are tall enough that their heads have no support in vehicles that have no headrests. In these cases, a high-back booster is advised.

Questions 7-9 in the FAQ linked under the banner at the top of the page address this question.

Also see:
www.boostamerica.org/getboost.htm
www.boostamerica.org/giveover.htm

 

[Jen]

why booster?

It is my understanding that any seat belt needs to fit the person correctly in order to effectively lessen injury or death upon incidence of auto accident. Your vehicle seat belts are intended to fit a grown/adult proportions body. Childrens body's are small and thus the straps do not align correctly on the child. I have read that a lap belt that lies around a child waist line (as opposed to his or her hip as is correct) during an automobile accident COULD snap a childs spine. Whether this percentage is low or not, isn't this (or any) reason scary enough to go out and spend $40 on a booster so that the belts will fit properly? Is your child's life worth $40 or not?