Florida State Law re: carseats

[3AmigosMom]

Planning a trip for our foster children and wondering if anyone knows what Florida law is regarding ages/weights required for carseats. All our previous trips have just been DH and I so bringing all the carseats, strollers, etc..seems alittle overwhelming!!!
Any tips will help.
Thanks

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

This is from www.gotoorlando.com I did a search for "car seat laws" and this is what came up. Hope this helps and have a great vacation!!!

Child car seats: 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 orsafety belts may be used for four- and five-year-olds.

 

[FreshTressa]

Bring the booster! It isn't that big of a deal. Just check it and rent one of those cart thingy's to cart it around in!

 

[FloridaCat]

Florida is also srong on everyone being buckled up so get in the habit. The Driver will be ticketed if anyone in the car is not fasten in. They have periods where they can stop you for not wearing a seatbelt without any other reason. The ticket is 90.00

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by FloridaCat
Florida is also srong on everyone being buckled up so get in the habit. The Driver will be ticketed if anyone in the car is not fasten in. They have periods where they can stop you for not wearing a seatbelt without any other reason. The ticket is 90.00

CT has the same law, unfortunately not as well enforced as FL.
I don't leave my driveway without being buckled up.

 

[3AmigosMom]

Thanks for the info. Illinois just made a stronger seatbelt law as well. We do use 2 carseats for the 2 and 3 year old and a booster for the 4 year old here at home. I just can't imagine lugging all that plus stollers for our first trip as a "family". My DH already thinks I'm crazy that I've even booked a trip with these little ones. Guess I'll have to sprinkle pixie dust on him for the next 2 months!!!

 

[FreshTressa]

It really isn't that bad!!! If you use the porters at the airport, you have to tip them, but sometimes it is worth it rather than having to carry everything.

And if you rent those little car things, it really helps!

Good luck, and you guys are going to have fun!

 

[ducklite]

Car seat laws are in place for a reason--to protect kids. It's not that much extra work to check the car seats as baggage. You might actually want to use the one for the two year old on board during the flight, especially if s/he is a little peanut. The lap belt isn't enough.

Anne

 

[Lucky Fin]

If you are renting a car, bring it with you. On 2 of our 3 trips the car rental agency ran out of boosters, even though our reservation requested them. Two different agencies and both times they said, "This never happens." We are just unlucky, I guess. It's not a big deal to check them on the flight. The baggage clerk stuck it in a plastic bag and we filled out and tied one of their ID tags to it.

 

[3AmigosMom]

Thanks for the tips. Didn't want to imply that we would compromise the kids safety in anyway--just trying to organize myself. I will use the carseat on the plane for the littlest--she's 2 but only weighs in at 25 lbs, and actually all three of them are on the small side so would you recommend our 2 boosters on the plane as well?? I've been scouring the family board as well to get tips on stroller usage and am wondering if renting at the parks is the way to go??
Any input is appreciated!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by 3AmigosMom
Thanks for the tips. Didn't want to imply that we would compromise the kids safety in anyway--just trying to organize myself. I will use the carseat on the plane for the littlest--she's 2 but only weighs in at 25 lbs, and actually all three of them are on the small side so would you recommend our 2 boosters on the plane as well?? I've been scouring the family board as well to get tips on stroller usage and am wondering if renting at the parks is the way to go??
Any input is appreciated!!

You might want to check with the airline on the booster issue. Some of them are not allowed to be used on the plane.

 

[JennsBabySky]

Definitely bring your carseats (for the 2 and 3 year old) on the plane with you! If you have your children on your lap and there is bad turbulance or a bumpy landing, then any kids on your lap become your air bag. Yikes! If they are sitting in the seats the 2 and 3 year old will be too small for the lap only belt and could slide out. Besides, a few years ago (before I knew better) I had our daughter on my lap for the flight and then rented a car seat with the car. Yuck, yuck. It was a really slimy, old, cheap seat that cost me about $65 to rent for the week. Our extra car seat for grandma was only $50 new. To transport both carseats you might want to try a luggage cart or a MicroMover. Usually with the correct positioning of the seats (one inverted on top of the other) and bungee cords, then both seats can be rolled to the plane together. With three kids, you'll have your hands full. For your oldest, they will not allow you to use a booster. No belt positioning booster seats can be used with a lap only belt and planes only have lap belts. For ease of transport, you might want to bring a backless booster. These are relatively small and easy to slip into your carryon luggage.

But please don't check your carseats with your luggage unless you have padded them very well in large boxes. If you are in a crash you need to replace your seats and many people compare the handling of the luggage to the forces that could occur in a moderate crash. Luggage is often tossed around. If you do not want to use the car seats on the plane, I would gate check them. At least this minimizes the handling.

Sorry this sounds sort of preachy, I just feel very passionate about child seats (ok, I'm a nerd!!) Have a wonderful trip!

Jennifer