Child car seat safety

pigpen

is she actually over 15kg?? My averageish 4.5 y/o is 15.1kg and you said your grand-daughter is small.

But yes he is right.. the clips on the 5 point harness can come undone with too much extra weight (though a lot of seats they are suitable up to 18kg to allow for sudden increases in weight and a bit of leeway).. if there is an accident so she wouldnt be adequately restrained..


0kg to 13kgRear-facing baby carrier, or rear-facing baby seat using a harness


9kg to 18kgRear- or forward-facing baby seat using a harness or safety shield


15kg to 36kgForward-facing child seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seatbelt .. the backless booster cushions are not really recommended until over 22kg if you must use one at all but over 15Kg it is not unlawful to use one... just not really safe or comfortable.


http://www.madeformums.com/reviews-and-shopping/shopping-guides/guide-to-child-car-seat-laws-and-safety/36136.html

GwylimT

pigpen wrote: »

15kg to 36kgForward-facing child seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seatbelt .. the backless booster cushions are not really recommended until over 22kg if you must use one at all but over 15Kg it is not unlawful to use one... just not really safe or comfortable.


http://www.madeformums.com/reviews-and-shopping/shopping-guides/guide-to-child-car-seat-laws-and-safety/36136.html

A backless booster isn't unsafe and isn't any more uncomfortable than the backed rock hard booster seats. A high back booster is unsafe compared to a rear facer to 18kg, it doesn't mean a high backed booster is not really safe.

Just checked ours on that note as our daughter is rear facing (5.5 years old and 17kg), hers is rear facing with harness to 25kg. Forward facing with harness until 18kg after which a seat belt must be used.

pigpen

the booster cushions are really uncomfortable.. you sit on one for a bit!! ... I have, they make your bum cheeks hurt.. simply not enough padding! And if they go to sleep there is no head support so the lollop all over the place and in the event of an acccident they are not as safe as high back boosters due to a total lack of SIP.

in the car the booster cushions raise the child to the point of the car seat they have no lumbar support and the head is pushed forward by the shaping of the car seat.. that makes their back and neck ache ... I've sat on them and tested it.. being a bit on the short side of little

That said the seat belt are always too high and the shoulder bit is always across the side of my face.. really annoying!

HurdyGurdy

Thank you pigpen.

She is having a sleepover at ours tonight, so I will weight her tomorrow morning when he has her bath. My daughter thinks she's about 19kg, so it'll be interesting to see how close she is!

HurdyGurdy

pigpen - I have exactly the same problem with seat belts cutting into my neck.

I use these now - much more comfortable. They are only plastic, so don't last forever (ergo - not very money saving!) but cheap enough to replace regularly

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2Pcs-Car-Seat-Belt-Strap-Adjuster-Support-Clip-Improves-Comfort-Safety-Aid-UK-/182098701201?hash=item2a65edab91:g:VtYAAOSwKfVXFfrM

hollydays

In the event of an impact the seat he is using won't necessarily keep her safe , as it's not shaped to be used in that way, she could slip out as the shape of the seat isn't designed to be used without the harness.
If you spoke to his road safety department they would tell you this-even inspect it if necessary.