Carseat laws

[ashleyd725@hotmail.c]

Anyone know a website that spells your the law specifically? I have been googling but all I find is ages, not weights or heights.
There are a couple of kids in DS preschool that are longer in any type of seat, they are 5.
I remember a Disney commercial with a princess, saying so and so is the magic number? Just dont remember that number.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Nina]

This one has some weights & heights http://www.elitecarseats.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=car_seat_laws

 

[WantToGoNow]

It varies by state - some have age/weight requirements, some have age/height. The link above seems to be a little dated as Ohio's requirements recently changed and is not reflected on that chart.

 

[ashleyd725@hotmail.c]

That is what I saw too 4 years for a carseat and 8 years for a booster.
I just thought 8 was a bit old for a booster. Oh well I still have 4 more years to worry about that!
Thanks

 

[lindsmom]

Like a PP said, it varies by state; here in MA you do need a booster until 8 years old, but in FL you don't need anything more than a seatbelt after 4 (or is it 5?) years old!

 

[mjkacmom]

My dd13 was in a booster until she was 10, and 80 pounds. Dd8 is only 52 pounds, so she'll be in hers for a LONG time (it's 8/80 here in NJ).

 

[*BTMRR*]

I know the ad campaign you're talking about. I saw a big Disney billboard featuring Cinderella's Fairy Godmother that said something like, "57 inches is the 'magic' number" (for how tall a child should be before being out of a booster). This was in a state, however, that only requires child seats until age 4. The billboard was just a guideline...it didn't really have anything to do with the law.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Each state has their own law. In Connecticut where I live your child must have reached their 7th birthday AND be over 60lbs to discontinue booster use. But that is just the MINIMUM required by law, not best practice (what is recommended).

For stopping the use of a booster and putting a child into just the seat belt the recommendation is to keep kids in a booster until they are 4'9" minimum OR until they pass the 5 step test shown here:

http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

8 is definitely NOT too old for a booster. Many kids cannot pass the 5 step test until 9, 10 or older.

All laws pertaining to car seats should be viewed as the minimum standards that you must meet, but you can always EXCEED the standard...and that is safer for your child.

If you'd like to know the law in your state post what state you're in and I'll be happy to link it for you. Sites like dmv.org or elitecarseats.com etc are not the best places to get this as they can be outdated. A website from your state's Highway Patrol or Dept of Public Safety or the Governer's site with a .gov tag are generally more accurate.

Coleen
CPST

 

[Erica09M]

The law is usually the BARE MINIMUM, and many children need to be in a booster seat until 10-12 years old. 8 years and 4'9" (57 inches) is a good minimum to start with. Then they need to look at the 5 step test and see if their child passes it in EVERY SINGLE VEHICLE they ever ride in. ALL of them. If they can't pass it, then they need to be in a booster. My 10 year old nephew is only 50 inches and still requires a booster. ALL 5 year olds need to be in a high back booster... AT THE VERY LEAST. Some 5 year olds still need to be harnessed, because they could lack the maturity it takes to sit properly 100% of the time. If the child leans over, touches the seat belt, tries moving the seat belt, etc., then they're not sitting properly and should be in a harness. The harness will keep them in the proper position 100% of the time.

If your child isn’t using a booster, try the simple test below the next time you ride together in the car. You may find that your child is not yet ready to use a safety belt without a booster.

The 5-Step Test.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's 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?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right for the best crash protection. Your child will be more comfortable, too!

 

[Erica09M]

That is what I saw too 4 years for a carseat and 8 years for a booster.
I just thought 8 was a bit old for a booster. Oh well I still have 4 more years to worry about that!
Thanks

8 years old is not too old for a booster. And 4 years old is way too young for a booster and your 4 year old should still be harnessed, for at least another year... but probably 2 years.

 

[bear_mom]

I don't think 8 is too old for a booster, my 10 year old is still sitting in one. I go by size, not age. She will sit in a booster seat until she passes the 5 pt test above.

Emily

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds is 8 years old and 80 lbs but is not 57" tall (he's 54"). He passes the 5-point test but he still rides in a low back booster and will until he grows 3 more inches. Dd5 is in a low-back booster (we have a back for it but she compains that it bothers her - doesn't fit right around her shoulders). She's a tall 5 y/o at 48" and 60 lbs.

 

[Erica09M]

My ds is 8 years old and 80 lbs but is not 57" tall (he's 54"). He passes the 5-point test but he still rides in a low back booster and will until he grows 3 more inches. Dd5 is in a low-back booster (we have a back for it but she compains that it bothers her - doesn't fit right around her shoulders). She's a tall 5 y/o at 48" and 60 lbs.

What booster is she using? The shoulder area on some boosters are narrow, especially if she's anything but a skinny little thing! You should consider a new booster that is wider. I love the Sunshine Kids Monterey booster, because it can be adjusted for height, and width through the shoulder area. No/low back boosters offer NO side impact protection for the head and neck; and at 5 years old they definitely need that protection. And at 5 years old, she still has a long time before her boostering days are over, even if she is 48 inches.

 

[marius97]

My dd13 was in a booster until she was 10, and 80 pounds. Dd8 is only 52 pounds, so she'll be in hers for a LONG time (it's 8/80 here in NJ).

That didn't sound quite right to me so I double checked. The law is 8 or 80 lbs. Once they hit 8 yrs old, then they don't have to be in the booster. Though as someone else noted, that doesn't mean that is the safest thing to do.

 

[TinkerbellsMagic]

8 years old is not too old for a booster. And 4 years old is way too young for a booster and your 4 year old should still be harnessed, for at least another year... but probably 2 years.

I agree my 6 yr old is still harnessed in a Regent.

 

[liriel]

Like a PP said, it varies by state; here in MA you do need a booster until 8 years old, but in FL you don't need anything more than a seatbelt after 4 (or is it 5?) years old!

In MA is is 8 or 4'9". My son is just 8 but he is taller than 4'9", so he doesn't have to use one anymore. Not that he was really fitting into a booster seat anymore he is just so tall and it was getting so uncomfortable for him.

 

[Erica09M]

In MA is is 8 or 4'9". My son is just 8 but he is taller than 4'9", so he doesn't have to use one anymore. Not that he was really fitting into a booster seat anymore he is just so tall and it was getting so uncomfortable for him.

I realize you say he's taller than 4'9", but please double check and make sure he passes the 5 step test in every vehicle he rides in. Otherwise he does infact need to be in a booster.

 

[Bearshouse]

My Dr said to keep a child in the 5 point harness as long as they fit because it is safer. We purchased a special car seat for our DS9, that will fit a 60" and 125lbs. But he has many many disabilities and we feel safer with a 5 point harness. DD5 will stay in her 5 point harness until she no longers fits or gets over the age of 8. Then move to a booster for a few years.

If they had the 4'9" rule when I was younger I would still be in a booster seat.

Bearshouse

 

[kim_o]

The 5-Step Test.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's 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?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right for the best crash protection. Your child will be more comfortable, too!

I'm all about car seat safety. (I do practice ERF to maximums). But just wanted to comment about the 5 step test....I find it amusing that I don't even pass it I can't in good conscience answer "yes" to #3 & #5.

 

[Erica09M]

I'm all about car seat safety. (I do practice ERF to maximums). But just wanted to comment about the 5 step test....I find it amusing that I don't even pass it I can't in good conscience answer "yes" to #3 & #5.

There is a difference between children and adults. Our bodies and bones are different. And in a lot of vehicles you can adjust the height of the shoulder belt in the driver's seat, but not the passengers' seats. OR you can adjust the height of the driver's seat (even my 97 Pontiac has this option) which allows the shoulder belt to fit properly. And yes, it is an issue if you don't sit in your seat properly because if you are out of position the seat belt is not going to do it's job the way it's supposed to.... child or adult.

Of course, you could always sit in a booster...