Child Car Seats in Florida

[ujpest_doza]

We are travelling to Florida in October with a 4 1/2 year old and a 7 month old.

Obviously we know we will have to bring the 7 month old's rear facing car seat and base, but will we still need a car seat or booster seat for the 4 1/2 year old?

She uses a Graco Booster seat at home, but if we don't need it we'd rather not bring it as we shall have 3 suitcases, 3 hand luggage bags, a particularly heavy stroller and the baby car seat as well.

She is 44 inches (112cms) tall and weighs 50lbs (23 KGS) and won't be 5 until April.

Is it the law in Florida that we will need to bring her booster seat or will she be okay as long as she wears a seatbelt?

 

[aaronandterri]

check with your hire car company, some models have these fold down from seat boster seats for kids, and there great, saves you taking one.

 

[Hannathy]

She doesn't need one according to Florida law. It is personal preference if you bring one or not.

 

[all4fun]

I agree, in Florida, after four it becomes a parental decision whether or not to use a booster however if you want to do whats safest then a booster is recommended until they can pass this 5-step test here.

She'll probably be more comfortable in a booster too since it places the adult seatbelts in the right places.

hth

 

[tinkandpan]

It's the parental choice in florida at that age. Personally, being from NJ my son is in booster (the same one you have) we do one of two things. If we are there a short time, we rent a booster. If we are there for a longer time- we carry the lower part of the booster and leave the back at home.

 

[lclark0621]

Well you can legally keep her in just a seat belt.

But is that the safest choice? Would you trust just a seat belt if God forbid something happened?

My DS is 4, 43 lbs & 43.5 inches tall. We bought him the Britax Regent & plan to keep him in a 5 point harness as long as we possibly can. That means we either rent a seat from a car company or bring our own. My kid's safety is worth the added trouble of car seat for a while longer, even on vacation.

 

[thepeach80]

She absolutely needs a seat! I would see if your infant seat can be used w/out the base though to eliminate one more thing.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Are you renting a car? If you are using Magical Express and will be taking Disney transport the whole time you are there, you don't need the seat. However, if you are going to be in a car, take her booster. It may not be the law but it just not safe to have a 4 year old in seat belt only. Try sitting her in the car at home with just a seat belt and you will see that your 4.5 year old is too little to sit in a seat belt only. Mine is in a 5 pt harness so I would never even consider her riding in just the seat belt.