Booster seat installation question

[Gillian]

DS 5 has a high back booster seat and he just outgrew the 5 point harness (he's on the small side). I've been reading the manual about converting it to a booster to use with a shoulder belt and I'm confused about a couple of things.

- can/should you use the top tether?
-can/should you use latch when it's used as a booster?

I read the manual and it doesn't mention these things at all in the booster seat section. I'm going to call the manufacturer (evenflo, thanks local police officers!) tomorrow, but already took the straps off and he may need it tomorrow morning.

We have a similar Graco seat, but it's in DH's car which doesn't have a top anchor point or LATCH.

TIA!

 

[princessjv]

We have the Britex Boosters. We use the latch system for them, however they do not have a teather for the top (like the infant seat). My guess is that it is not going to hurt. It is just mounting the seat into the car more securely.
I would for sure call the manuf. ASAP, to get the best info.

 

[Ali]

I was told by the car seat expert who came to check out all of our seats last year at school that once your child is in a booster seat you should only use the seat belt that is in the car. I said but if I latch it is isn't it safer. and she said, no the seat is designed to work with the locking seat belt in your car only - don't mess with it. So we only use the seat belt.

Alicia

 

[all4fun]

According to Evenflo's FAQ click here :

Question:
Can I use both the lap/shoulder belt and the LATCH belt at the same time?
Answer:
No, You only want to use either a lap/shoulder belt OR the LATCH belt. NOTE: Some vehicles are not equipped with the LATCH belt attachments and in this case would need to use a lap/shoulder belt.

I would get instructions for your seat and follow them (you can probably request them from the site I linked above). If the instructions don't specifically address it (ie. using the top tether, for instance) then I would not do it. If the seat wasn't tested for something then you don't want your child possibly being the test subject if there were an accident.

And this is from a car seat safety site LATCH faq :

Can I use top tethers or LATCH with my booster seat? Generally not. Most boosters are exempt, and will not even have LATCH. Some Century and Graco combination models do allow top tether use as a booster above 40 pounds. Please consult the owner's manual of your carseat and LATCH retrofit kit for details.

hth.

 

[Gillian]

Thanks! We went out tonight and I just used it with the shoulder belt. The manual didn't specify so I will call them to see.

Is the one quote about using latch & the seatbelt about boosters specifically? Just wondering, because you can physically use both if you are using a regular car seat.

Boosters are so strange to me, after having the kids in 5 point harnesses for so long. I guess the point is just to make a seatbelt reach them in the right places, but it seems like using almost nothing!

 

[sara74]

I have to thank you so much for asking this question as we switched out of the 5 point harness for DD (turning 4 soon and quite tall!) and we assumed that we would still use the LATCH with the seat belt. After just checking our manual I saw that we should not be using both.

Do not use LATCH or tether strap when using the Belt-Positioning Booster

Your question may have just saved my little one!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

A booster is to be used alone and to just provide a boost--no latches tethers or anything.

The only device securing child and seat is the seatbelt itself.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Thanks! We went out tonight and I just used it with the shoulder belt. The manual didn't specify so I will call them to see.

Is the one quote about using latch & the seatbelt about boosters specifically? Just wondering, because you can physically use both if you are using a regular car seat.

Boosters are so strange to me, after having the kids in 5 point harnesses for so long. I guess the point is just to make a seatbelt reach them in the right places, but it seems like using almost nothing!

I was told by an employee at toys r us who had "training" in this is that you pull the shoulder harness out (so that when retracted to the proper size it locks)---this way, you don't have kids leaning forward and such in them.

ETA: I just googled and couldn't find anything to the contrary of what I was told.

 

[Gillian]

I will ask them about pulling out the belt until it locks.


Sara74 - is that quote from your owners manual? I'm glad this discussion was helpful to you!

 

[sara74]

Gillian - yes, that was the owner's manual. Luckily, DH and I have the same seat in each car, but I didn't take his internal harness out yet. Otherwise I would be outside on this very cold night correcting our mistakes. He does the bulk of the kid driving M,T and W so I hope it warms up before I have to go unLATCH her seat! (It was 13 below with the windchill here last night!)

And again, thank you!

PS Our manual said nothing about pulling out the belt until it locked, although that is what I was doing. I guess I should call too!

 

[tweedlewtwinsmama]

In early Oct. we were on our way to Cedar Point pulling our travel trailer when the unthinkable happened. We were in an accident. We rolled over 2 complete times camper and all. Our 2 almost 6year old boys were in their high back boosters with the car's safety belt to hold them in. We all walked away wthout a scratch I can tell you from firsthand knowledge that a seatbelt with a booster works fine. At least it did for us.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

How scary, Krista!


Important to note that in an impact the seatbelt does lock automatically.

I do the locking b/c the supposed expert said to do so--and it just makes me feel better. My hubby's car doesn't lock though .

 

[1of6]

How scary! You are so blessed.

I think i'm going right now to give my kids that extra kiss.

 

[all4fun]

Boosters are so strange to me, after having the kids in 5 point harnesses for so long. I guess the point is just to make a seatbelt reach them in the right places, but it seems like using almost nothing!

It's true - every step "up" to the next type of car seat is a step down in safety. But still, a booster seat is definitely required for children under 4'9" who have outgrown their harnessed car seats.

To the pp who was involved in a rollover - glad to hear everyone was Ok. How scary!

 

[tweedlewtwinsmama]

I'd rather imagine that being in any degree of accident with your children aboard would be scary. I'm forever thankful (and made sure to thank God for protecting us) that we do not take chances when our kids in the car. We always put them in their booster and make sure that the seatbelt is on correctly. By the way if you are in an accident, you need to replace the carseat even if it looks ok. Be safe everyone.

 

[jodifla]

It's true - every step "up" to the next type of car seat is a step down in safety. But still, a booster seat is definitely required for children under 4'9" who have outgrown their harnessed car seats.

To the pp who was involved in a rollover - glad to hear everyone was Ok. How scary!

Actually, in many states, like Florida, it is not required, although it may be preferable.

After age 3, kids can be in seat belts in the Sunshine State.

 

[1of6]

Being required by law and being required for safety are 2 different things in most states. Just because Florida says it's ok not to use a booster does not mean that that is the best way for a child to travel.

The laws are changing in many states. It will take time for the law to realize that children's safety should come first. Children should be in a booster until 4'9" no matter what the law says.

 

[kidshop]

Actually, in many states, like Florida, it is not required, although it may be preferable.

After age 3, kids can be in seat belts in the Sunshine State.

Actually, it's 4 years. That is the minimum age for any state. And their are only 12 states with that minimum! It's only a matter of time until the minimum age is 8 years in the US. Until just recently, in Alabama, a child 4 and over in the back seat didn't have to wear any seatbelt or restraint at all! Well, you can't buy common sense, but now AL requires booster until 6 years of age. We will make progress in this important area slowly but surely. And more children will live b/c of it.

 

[all4fun]

Being required by law and being required for safety are 2 different things in most states. Just because Florida says it's ok not to use a booster does not mean that that is the best way for a child to travel.

The laws are changing in many states. It will take time for the law to realize that children's safety should come first. Children should be in a booster until 4'9" no matter what the law says.

That is what I meant. Thank you.

I am aware of what Florida law currently states on this issue. It's just that the laws of physics trump the laws of any state, any day.

 

[jodifla]

Actually, it's 4 years. That is the minimum age for any state. And their are only 12 states with that minimum! It's only a matter of time until the minimum age is 8 years in the US. Until just recently, in Alabama, a child 4 and over in the back seat didn't have to wear any seatbelt or restraint at all! Well, you can't buy common sense, but now AL requires booster until 6 years of age. We will make progress in this important area slowly but surely. And more children will live b/c of it.

I said after age 3.

And personally, I don't believe in making car seats mandatory for those up to 8 years old.

Good grief, how does anyone carpool anymore?