Car Seats

[benny2bunny]

Hi,

I come from the U.K and was just wondering about car seats, we have been over to the states a number of times and purchased a car seat when our son was young. What I was wondering was I know that the child has to sit in a seat until they are five, but under American Law, are you able to use booster seats. I am getting lazy in my old age, and just can't be bothered with the agg of a large car seat if I can get away with it.

Perhaps someone would be kind enough to let me know where we stand, I know the rental companies rent the seats but I am also tight as well as lazy, and I see no reason to pay $5 a day for a 5 week holiday, as this would cost me $175, I could buy almost three seats with that.

Many Thanks

Bernadette

 

[robinb]

A quick google search got me this from the Inventive Parent website
(http://www.inventiveparent.com/lawsreg4.htm) :

Florida

Protecting Children

THE LAW: ALL CHILDREN 5 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER MUST USE A RESTRAINT DEVICE WHEN RIDING IN A MOTOR VEHICLE.
Traffic crashes are the number one killer of young children in this country. Over 90 percent of the deaths and 80 percent of the injuries in car crashes could be prevented by using crash-tested child restraints.
The law requires every driver to secure children five years of age or younger in child restraint devices riding in a passenger car, van, or pick-up truck, regardless of whether the vehicle is registered in this state. Infant carriers or children's car seats must be used for children three years old and younger. Children's car seats or safety belts may be used for four- and five-year-olds.
All infant carriers and car seats must be crash-tested and approved by the U.S. Government.
Children being carried or riding bicycles should wear properly fitted bicycle helmets.

Recommended Child Restraints
Infant Carriers - Birth to 9 months or 20 pounds.
Children's Car Seats - Nine months to four years (20-50 pounds).
Lap Belt - Four years and older (over 40 pounds).
Lap Belt and Shoulder Belt - 55 inches tall.

So ... it looks like all you need to do by state law is to but your child in the back seat in a lap belt. If you are worried about your child's safety, you can always drive to the nearest Wal*Mart or K-Mart and buy a cheap booster seat. I think they are under $50 USD. You'll be in the US for 5 weeks and people drive like maniacs around Orlando ... both the tourists and the locals alike!

 

[benny2bunny]

Cheers Robin,
I'll prberly just take the booster out with me, be brought a car seat from K Mart last time we were out, but it's just so big and bulky to take out with us, at least with a booster it can fit into a bag, and is not to lumpy, thanks for your help you put my mind at rest now.
Bernadette

 

[robinb]

If you don't have a bag which fits your booster seat, the airlines will provide a plastic bag big enough for the booster. We have a bag for our seat since my DD is still a lap child and we bring the seat to the gate with us in case we can get an extra seat, but I see many car seats at baggage claim in clear plastic bags.

 

[benny2bunny]

Thanks Robin,

I'll bear that in mind.

 

[R4racing]

I know that National has a cap on the amount a car seat rental will cost, at least they used to. I think it maxed out at 7 or 8 day charge. I think most states allow booster seats, don't know why they wouldn't if the child is the right size for one.

 

[benny2bunny]

I know it was a dumb question but well the states have some funny laws and I wouldn't want to get myself on trouble on holiday, now would I, I think it's better to be safe than sorry.
Thanks anyway.