car seats for kids in florida??

[carol9999]

hi.. i am flying to orlando mid october and am renting a car from budget.... i read somewhere that the car seat rule in florida is up to age 6. is this true??? my son is 5 (about 40lbs) and do i need a car seat for him there? you dont in NY, but i do use a booster seat for him.... should i bring the booster seat with us to florida or do i need a whole car seat???? also, is it wise to use the booster seat for the airplane seat...thanks

 

[dcgrumpy]

http://www.inventiveparent.com/lawsreg4.htm#Florida

4 and up they can be in booster seats. As far as I know booster seats are not allowed on planes

 

[renniks]

We were allowed to use my son's high back booster seat on the plane. It has to say FAA approved on the seat to be able to us it.

 

[beattyfamily]

Every operator of a motor vehicle as defined herein, while transporting a child in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall, if the child is 5 years of age or younger, provide for protection of the child by properly using a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. For children aged through 3 years, such restraint device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used.

Age 4 and up do not have to have a carseat/booster seat. Under 4 must have a separate carrier or integrated child seat.

I would bring whatever you use at home and check it with your luggage and then use it in your rental car. IMHO, you do not need a car seat or booster seat on the plane for your 5 year old.

 

[plutosmyfav]

I read the link provided by dcgrumpy. Am I understanding correctly that 4 & 5 year olds only need to be in seat belts?

"For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used. "

My 4 yo is 46", 50 lb. I would feel safe with him just in a seat belt, but I want to make sure I understand the law correctly.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by plutosmyfav
I read the link provided by dcgrumpy. Am I understanding correctly that 4 & 5 year olds only need to be in seat belts?

"For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used. "

My 4 yo is 46", 50 lb. I would feel safe with him just in a seat belt, but I want to make sure I understand the law correctly.

Yep, you understand and read it correctly.

 

[JennsBabySky]

I would bring your booster for your 4 year old. Regardless of state laws, most children are not ready for a seat belt only situation until 8 or 9 (obviously dependent on size of child, size of seats in car, etc). I wouldn't take a chance of ruining your vacation by gambling that you won't get in an accident. If you don't have one already, you can get a no back booster at Wal-Mart or Target for like $15. These are really small and easy to travel with. As far as using the seat on the plane, only carseats are allowed to be installed in the plane. There is some confusion, because some people have COMBINATION seats which are front facing carseats with an integrated booster option. Combination seats can be used on the plane as long as the carseat (internal harness) portion is used. The booster portion can never be used on the plane (the seats need to be able to break forward and the booster only portion is dangerous in this situation). Most Flight Attendants are aware of this, but I have seen a family trying to install a booster for the flight with the flight attendant helping them.

Have a wonderful trip,
Jennifer