Experts call for booster seats to be...
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Topic: Experts call for booster seats to be...
Posted By: CRS
Subject: Experts call for booster seats to be...
Date Posted: 27 May 2007 at 8:11pm
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Experts call for booster seats to be compulsory
5:00AM Saturday May 26, 2007 By Maggie McNaughton http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=142&objectid=10441950 Support is swelling for the compulsory use of "booster seats" in cars for children aged over 5. Under current legislation, only children aged up to 5 are required to use approved car restraints. Plunket, doctors and motoring experts are behind the calls. In Australia, the biggest motoring group, the NSW-based National Roads and Motorists Association, is backing plans for children aged up to 7 to be required to use booster seats. And the Canadian province of British Columbia has just passed a law requiring children to use booster seats until they are 145cm tall - between the age of about 9 and 12. Booster seats sit the child higher so the seatbelt lies across the shoulder and upper legs, rather than the neck and stomach. Plunket is pushing for it to be mandatory for children aged over 5 to travel in booster seats. "It's incredibly dangerous for a child who doesn't fit the safety belt correctly to be using it," national child safety adviser Sue Campbell said. "We will be going to the Transport Ministry and getting more support from other groups and talking to them again in regards to having a real push for [change]," she said. "We want booster seats used here until at least 9 years of age. One thing we will have to discuss is the appropriateness of going by either the age or size of the child." New Zealand's record of children dying in car accidents is abysmal. From 1989 to 2006 inclusive, 176 children aged up to 4 were killed. Of those children, 75 weren't wearing restraints, and 55 would have been saved had they been restrained, according to Ministry of Transport figures. In the same period, 101 children aged 5-9 were killed. Of those children, 32 weren't wearing restraints, and 16 would have been saved had they been restrained. Dr Elizabeth Segedin, an intensive care specialist at Starship Children's Hospital, is one of several doctors who recommended in a study that children up to 12 should be required to sit in booster seats. She said that in Britain the law now requires restraints for children up to 135cm tall or 12 years of age. Transport Minister Harry Duynhoven said the ministry had discussed child restraint laws with various groups. "We know that booster seats for older children would enhance safety. That's why we've had the recommendations for years that parents use them, but I'll wait and see what the advice is and maybe make some decisions as to how hard, how fast we should move on the issues." * Plunket has been awarded a top road safety prize for its Car Seat Rental Scheme. The organisation won the Road Safety General Category at this year's New Zealand Road Safety Innovation and Achievement Awards. |
Replies:
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 27 May 2007 at 8:45pm
| not that reading all that is a joke, but i suddently realised that if my japanese girlfriend visited nz, if they put in a law about 145cm, she'll have to be in a booster seat...heheh |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 27 May 2007 at 9:28pm
I was just thinking that Lizzle, how many children don't pass the 145cm mark... ever? (It's 4'9" isn't it?) 
Okay I have a prob with these statistics. First up, children in the first example, aged 0-4, are already required by law to be in a child restraint. So that's already covered. In the second example, we're talking about 16 children who would have been saved if they had been in a child restraint. 16 children over a span of 17 years! But it also sounds like it is talking about car seats and seatbelts all being equal in those statistics, those that's even more confusing. So the question is, how much financial support does Plunket get from car seat sales?  -------------  |
CRS wrote:Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 12:13am
It would be an age AND height requirement. I.E. in the UK the law is that they must be in a booster seat till either 135cm or age 12, which ever comes first. As in, they might be 130cm, but if they're say, 13, then legally they do not have to use a booster seat.
While it talks of fatalities, what these articles tend to forget about are the hundreds of children ever year who are INJURED (not killed, but injured) due to not being properly restrained, not restrained at all, or just downright bad luck (correctly restrained, but still injured - it happens, of course). And as for support from car seat sales?? So far as I know, Plunket are non profit and aren't allowed to "compete" with retailers, so financially I doubt they would benefit much, if at all, from such a law change and even if they did I'm sure the money would be put back in to the rental schemes. ETA: I get what you're saying about the statistics, probably something just to fill up the article? LOL |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 6:53am
| I was talking to the plunket lady at children's day and she asked me if we had our boys in car seats. I looked at her weirdly and said "of course". She actually apologiused and said that Gisborne has a really bad record of not having kids in car restraints at all. It was horrific some of the things she was telling me. Driving down the highway breastfeeding bubs in the front seat. How can you not put a baby in a car seat? |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 9:55am
Oh you wont BELIEVE some of the things I have seen and heard! Such as... kid in the back, on an adults lap... perfectly good car seat sitting in the front seat with... A BOX OF OLD BANANAS IN IT! Because bananas bruise more easily then children didn't ya know? |
Posted By: nuttymama
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 10:09am
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We were at the fish and chip shop a while ago and a lady got in the car and went to drive off with two kids running around the seats and two car seats empty. We were shocked so Dh got out and gave her what for, she used lots of foul language and told him it was none of his business, so he got out his phone and pretended to dial the cops. She had a sudden change of heart and started to strap her protesting kids in and this is what she said to them "No you have to that grumpy wanker said you do, so it's not my fault blame him"!!!!!
It makes me so angry  especially when 90% of the time the adults are wearing their seat belts just not their kids.
Jayden is 5 1/2 and we still have him in his booster we kept Micheal in one until he was 7 as he was just too short for the seat belts. As long as they are under the weight limit for the seat I don't see any harm in being a little extra cautious. Although we have the hindsight of knowledge after being in a car wreck where seat belts and a good car seat saved our lives. ------------- Abigail 06/01/2005 Jayden 21/11/2001 Micheal 03/04/1997 |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 10:57am
I agree with that lady. How DARE you care for HER child's safety, you AWFUL person! *insert hint of sarcasm* LOL. Another story... I pulled up a car (police check point) with a "T-Bar" car seat that was at least 20-25 years old and told the driver it needed to be replaced, it was obsolete, no longer met a safety standard and was dangerous. His reply... How was he meant to know that if it wasn't on the television! !!! ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com 
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Posted By: nuttymama
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 11:31am
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Oh my!!!! I like the fact that Abby's carseat has a big sticker on it that says "Do not use this seat after 2011".
Out of curiosity do booster seats have an age limit like car seats? Given that fact that I have three children I should probably know this! ------------- Abigail 06/01/2005 Jayden 21/11/2001 Micheal 03/04/1997 |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 11:37am
Depends on the booster. If it's American, it would usually be 6-8 years. If it's Australian, 10 years, if it's European, most likely 10 years also. If you're talking a polystyrene booster, that's 10 years (Australian). ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: nuttymama
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 12:00pm
Ok, I'm guessing we are going out to buy a new booster seat this week!!!  Jayden's one is about 11 years old, and we will need one for Abby in the near future anyway so might as well get it now. Thanks for that ------------- Abigail 06/01/2005 Jayden 21/11/2001 Micheal 03/04/1997 |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 12:25pm
You're most Welcome :) How old is the child and how much do they weigh? I might be able to help with some product suggestions if you like? ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 12:53pm
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While we're at it, how long before a regular car seat expires? ------------- |
Posted By: nuttymama
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 12:57pm
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Jayden is 5 and weighs 20 kilos but we have just left him in his seat and would prefer he stay in it for a while. Abby is only 2 1/2 and only 12 kilo's so there is a bit of room for her in her car seat. Although if we get one now for jayden I want it to be ok for Abby as well when she outgrows her car seat. ------------- Abigail 06/01/2005 Jayden 21/11/2001 Micheal 03/04/1997 |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 1:51pm
Depends on the brand, what is the brand of your seat?
I'm not sure what your budget is like but something such as a Hipod Barcelona (it tethers) from Farmers or Milano booster (doesn't tether) from Baby City may be appropriate for him. Though it would definitely be a good idea to try it in your car to make sure it fits properly in your vehicle and that the adult belt rests on his body correctly. Let him sit in it too so you'll no if he's comfortable or not. Nothing worse then sitting in an uncomfortable seat for a whole journey! ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: nuttymama
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 3:00pm
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Thanks, will check them out this weekend, quite like the milano one though. The price isn't too bad considering we will eventually have Abby in it. ------------- Abigail 06/01/2005 Jayden 21/11/2001 Micheal 03/04/1997 |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 8:17pm
You're welcome :) ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 8:20pm
I just want to say a big YAY!! For having you here Bonnie! You are a total wealth of knowledge and I've heard you spoken of highly before....great to have you contributing to us here!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 8:43pm
Have you really? How interesting! LOL ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: Bumble
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 9:10pm
Big thumbs up for the milano!!!  When were were shopping for a booster, we asked the lady in Baby City to show us some under $200 that were not polystyrene.. (sp) Ethan loves his Milano!!! and I love it too.. soooo easy to use...------------- formerly known as "Bee" Ethan ~ March 2003 Big 6 year old school boy! Micah ~ Aug 2008 ~ Smiley pants who loves telephones! |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 10:06pm
I have indeed! Kind of freaks out you to be known though huh? But I can assure you that it's all good things I've heard. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 10:16pm
A little! LOL! Very intriguing, you have me wondering now  ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 10:50pm
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I am at odds with my in laws and booster seats at the moment. They seem to think that as Andrew is tall (just over 1 metre) and is now 3 he should be in a booster. I want him to stay in his car seat for as long as possible as it is safer for him. Going by the height thing alone he wouldn't be in one for long but the age thing would do it for me. I'm trying myself to kep him in a caseat for as long as possible just for my peace of mind (not being able to undone the buckle is the biggest thing for me, after watching him undo the seatbelt while in the booster ) at the moment. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 10:59pm
Mama definitely knows best in this case - for sure! Good on you, most parents are desperate to rush their kids in to booster seats. ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 12:16am
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Ugh, Maya lets herself out of the booster seat AND the five point harness, she's an evil wench I've managed to bribe her that unless she stays in the seatbelt I'll put the harness back on her seat 'like a baby', but on the way back from Hamilton yesterday she proudly informs me "them is awake"(them is the babies who are in the row behind her), so I look in the rear view mirror and she is still in the seatbelt but twisted right around over the backseat
Mum was telling me last week that in Australia child restraints are only compulsory up to 12 months, apparently it was in the Sydney Morning Herald, I'll have a hunt thru their website and see if I can find the article. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 12:27am
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Got it!
http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/exercise-restraint/2007/05/22/1179601406281.html?page=1 - Exercise Restraint And this from page 4: "...the law that requires children to remain in approved restraints only for 12 months." 
That is shocking! An interesting article overall, they suggest that children should be kept rear facing until after age 3, and that this is now common practise in Sweden. I'm not entirely sure how that would work tho? Wouldn't their legs be too long? Hmmmmm.... ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 9:42am
Yup! Currently the law is child restraints up to 12 months then after that just a seatbelt is perfectly legal (EEK!). As for the Swedish seats.. funny you mention.. I actually imported one of those seats for my son. He's just about two and rear-facing now. That's after he was forward-facing for 8 months (until I could afford and source this seat) and he doesn't mind a bit! You can actually (for when he gets to be about 3ish and we get another, bigger car) install it so that it sits quite afar from the back of the rear seats, which gives them more leg room. I might take a picture tonight actually, it's kind of hard to explain. This seat harnesses higher then any seat in the country. When you think about it, how many kids sit with their legs straight out in front of them? Mine doesn't, even I don't (it hurts my legs!). They naturally bend and cross them. There's a gallery here with a whole lot of kids in the states practising what's termed as "Extended Rear-facing". That is, rear-facing past one year of age, which is the usual age parents turn their kids around. http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum.aspx ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 2:30pm
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Interesting stuff! Now I *really* want to come and get you to check Maya's seat - just so I can have a gawk at how the rear facing one works ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 2:37pm
Any time! (Well almost any time!) I don't mind, just flick me an email if you ever do! ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 5:21pm
Okay have now been down and checked lol... it's a century car seat (of the plastic variety) and I've just worked out it'll be 10 years old next month..... so now I'm already guessing the negative reply *sigh* money money money! ------------- |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 5:54pm
Oh dear! Does it have a harness or is it a "T-Bar" seat? And if it has a harness, the strap at the crotch, is that a single one or a double one? If it's a single crotch strap, the seat would have had a six year life span, if double, ten. But as you said, it's ten years old next month any way - eek! If you need any product suggestions just give us a yell. ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 01 June 2007 at 11:38am
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It does up with a 5 point harness, buckle at the crotch, slidey bar at the chest... so I guess that makes it a 10 yr jobbie and you caught us just in time I'm gonna start a new link on prefered brands. ------------- |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 01 June 2007 at 12:02pm
You mean a chest clip? then it's six years - sorry! LOL ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 01 June 2007 at 12:06pm
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Can you hear the chorus?
"Uh-oh........" ------------- |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 01 June 2007 at 12:09pm
LOL! ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: james
Date Posted: 03 June 2007 at 9:30pm
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i there i was looking at seats for my son james and i was wondering if the philnteds boster was a good brand it has the 5 point harness or would the milno be a better buy i have a rented carseat for james now but would like a boster to own thank you in adavnce ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 03 June 2007 at 9:35pm
How old? Weight? Budget? Do you have an anchor bolt fitted in to your car? (don't worry, there is a point to all these questions hehe). ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: james
Date Posted: 03 June 2007 at 9:50pm
james is almost two and last wiegh was 16-17kg hes the size of a 3 year old and under two hunred would be good thanks ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 03 June 2007 at 9:58pm
Oh, in that case I definitely wouldn't be putting him in to a booster for a couple of years yet, he's the same age as my son too!. $200 is a bit hard to work with (the price of car seats is shocking!) but have a look here: http://www.childrestraintsafety.com/extended-harnessing.html there's a whole lot of product suggestions there, do keep him harnessed for as long as possible :) Ring around, you might be able to find one of those seats (particularly options 1,2 & 3) for a good price. ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 04 June 2007 at 8:50am
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hey check out theses ones on the diapers direct site...under $200 and they say they take up to an 11 yr old as they convert. (i get emails from them and this is their new product this month)
http://www.diapersdirect.co.nz/shop/Car-Seats/Booster-Car-Seats - here... |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 04 June 2007 at 9:57am
It's about the same as the Phil & Tedd Tott XT. At 18kg you have to take the harness out and use it with the adult belt. ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 04 June 2007 at 10:34am
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I apologise I only read the first page but just been to the Uk abd Brooke my 9 year old had to have a boaster seat (just one of those half ones to boaster her hieght) I thought about Rhyley needing one but not Brooke. ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 04 June 2007 at 11:02am
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Luana I would have looked into putting him in a booster with a harness after his 2nd birthday. He weighs more than my 3yo (who is in a booster)! What's his car manner like, does he try to get out or is he good about car seats? ------------- |
Posted By: CRS
Date Posted: 04 June 2007 at 11:23am
If she passes the "5-Step Test" then she doesn't need one, if if she doesn't pass the test then she does :) The 5-Step Test 1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat? 2. Do the childs knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat? 3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm? 4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs? 5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip? ©SafetyBeltSafe USA ------------- Bonnie, Mum to a 1 1/2 year old & a 3 year old - still RF in their Brio Zento's CPST & Safe2Go Technician www.childrestraintsafety.com
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Posted By: james
Date Posted: 04 June 2007 at 12:58pm
yep busymum hes a big boy bigger then my friends 4 year old hes good in the car i,m just worried he wont be ready for a only adult belt as in hes a cheeky little monkey and will strat climbing out of the seat ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 04 June 2007 at 1:36pm
i was told gabriel should be in a booster - cause his ears are higher than the top of his seat - and was worried too so they suggested a booster and buy a 5 point harness that can be attached to the bolt for the car seats. I just know that gabriel is not ready for a normal seatbelt, hes a very cheeky monkey in his carseat already...
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