Child Seat/Booster Seat Regulations In FL?

[Greenday]

Can anybody help me out please?

We're travelling with an 8YO princess & here in Ireland it's the law that she needs a booster seat until the age of 12.

First of all what are the regulations in Florida/USA?

Secondly does anybody know if the rental agents will be able to provide us with one? It's not a baby seat so I'm not sure of this.

We really don't want to cart our one from Ireland and back!!!!

Thank you in advance.

 

[Sazuburns]

From what I understand, in Florida children don't need a car seat once they are over 5

However, for me it isn't about what the law is, it's about children being safe (so even before the law changed in Europe, my 5 and 7 year olds were already in high backed boosters). I didn't really want to take my hbbs away in case they got damaged, but I also didn't want to rent seats from the car hire company as I've heard some reports of them being in terrible condition and you don't know whether or not they have been in an accident.

I'm probably going to compromise by taking booster cushions, so at least they will be sitting higher up, so the seatbelts won't cut into their necks in if G-d forbid there is an accident they will be protected against internal injuries as the lap part of the belt will be across their pelvis not across the soft part of their stomach. I might even persuade that we should take the entire hbb, since we are driving to the airport anyway.

hth
Sarah x

 

[Greenday]

Thanks Sazu,

We've never been without a minimum of a booster cushion ourselves and I'm wary of renting a car without a seat.

I checked out the costs on Walmart and I think we might even get one for the time we are over there as we are going to be tight on luggage space on the way over.

 

[tinkandpan]

Hi- you are indeed correct about the booster law. FL basically has none once they are over 5 or 6. That doesn't matter to me as in NJ it is 8 or 80 lbs. I did rent a booster from AVIS the past two times. I would never rent a baby carseat but since the booster is basically just a cushion up higher with a back and not designed for impact but rather for holding the seatbelt and the wearer up a bit higher. I felt comfortable with our decision. It was very clean and worked well. It was 10 a day. If you were going to be there for a long time, buying a backless one at walmart for $20 WOULD be a better deal. A backed one would be a little more money though- they go for about $50. At 8- i would think a backless one would suffice.

 

[Groovee]

When we landed at Sanford we had worked out about 10 minutes down the road there was a walmart. SO we took a booster cushion with us as checked in luggage and used it for ds down the road then bought him a highbacked booster in walmart for $50 (the same one retails at £70 here). I was off the opinion that what we do at home is what we would do over there as I felt happier that dd had a booster and that ds had a new car seat which we checked in on the way back too.

 

[Hannathy]

Actually it is children 3 and under must be in a car seat. 4 and 5 yr olds may wear a seat belt.

 

[Nanu57v]

You can get a low back booster for under $20 at Wal-mart...they have 2 for $25 at Kmart. Of course that doesn't help you get from the airport to the Walmart. Can you purchase a low-back booster overseas and just bring it? Do they sell them there?

 

[Greenday]

I have a booster here but we are restricted with space and weight limits as we're on a charter flight. What we might do is send dh off down the road to Walmart as soon as we arrive & I will stay in the airport with dd until he comes back with a booster. I understand that there is one in Sanford so that would be ideal. Otherwise our rental company will let us one but they are $5 per day and considering we are staying 15 days, it would be WAY to expensive compared to the cost of buying one. Unless of course it is an isofix booster seat but I sincerely doubt it......

 

[tjmw2727]

I have a booster here but we are restricted with space and weight limits as we're on a charter flight. What we might do is send dh off down the road to Walmart as soon as we arrive & I will stay in the airport with dd until he comes back with a booster. I understand that there is one in Sanford so that would be ideal. Otherwise our rental company will let us one but they are $5 per day and considering we are staying 15 days, it would be WAY to expensive compared to the cost of buying one. Unless of course it is an isofix booster seat but I sincerely doubt it......

Honestly with an 8yo - I would just use the seatbelt to drive to the wallmart and purchase the booster. Its a very short ride and you won't be breaking any laws. Not ideal I know but probably better than leaving and returning to the airport with the current restrictions on parking etc. You could also get some groceries and sundries etc for the room this way.

Earlier today at Wallmart I saw a nice low back booster with the belt positioning adjuster clip and cupholders for 13.00 and change

TJ

 

[teresajoy]

Thanks Sazu,

We've never been without a minimum of a booster cushion ourselves and I'm wary of renting a car without a seat.

I checked out the costs on Walmart and I think we might even get one for the time we are over there as we are going to be tight on luggage space on the way over.

I think buying one is your best way to go too. They are quite cheap, often cheaper than $50.

 

[ujpest_doza]

I have a booster here but we are restricted with space and weight limits as we're on a charter flight. What we might do is send dh off down the road to Walmart as soon as we arrive & I will stay in the airport with dd until he comes back with a booster. I understand that there is one in Sanford so that would be ideal. Otherwise our rental company will let us one but they are $5 per day and considering we are staying 15 days, it would be WAY to expensive compared to the cost of buying one. Unless of course it is an isofix booster seat but I sincerely doubt it......

A car seat is classed like a pushchair on a charter flight and does not affect your luggage allowance.

 

[Davscotcar]

I have a booster here but we are restricted with space and weight limits as we're on a charter flight.

We were on a charter as well and they still allowed me to check in 2 seats at check in on the way home and 1 on the way there. I took the minimum amount of stuff with me as i knew i could buy it over there and we only had 2 bags on the way which boith weighed 15k. If I can do that then anyone can and I over pack.