Verifying FL car seat law......

[all4fun]

I wouldn't think that phone books would really be safe. There isn't anything to keep them from sliding forward.

When traveling, we've used something like these
http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...igkw=seat+belt&kw=seat+belt&parentPage=search

Sorry, but these are NOT safe:
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/AMBeltDevices.aspx

Three typical models were tested by NHTSA. Belt positioning devices can cause the lap belt to rise up in a crash and lie across the soft abdominal area instead of staying lower and lying across the child's hips, thereby increasing the potential for abdominal injury. In the proposal, NHTSA discusses the possibility of adopting performance requirements.

"This continues our effort to improve safety, our highest transportation priority," U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater said. "There is no greater responsibility than ensuring the safety of children, and this proposal, if adopted, would help parents provide for the safety of children."

"This information is necessary so that parents can provide the safest restraint for every child of every size," said NHTSA Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D.

I agree that using phone books would not be safe. They don't even work very well at the dining room table, I doubt they would work well in a moving vehicle (much less in an accident situation). Watch some crash test videos and I think you'll agree.

 

[sha_lyn]

The one I linked to wasn't tested.
also I find it funny that the site says try a homemade remedy instead.
According to the link I posted, those have been tested and were safe.

 

[all4fun]

The one I linked to wasn't tested.
also I find it funny that the site says try a homemade remedy instead.
According to the link I posted, those have been tested and were safe.

When they say try a home made remedy, they are talking about adults who are too short for the seatbelt to fit properly/comfortably, Not children. And there are no standards for testing these product so I'd be interested to see how the one you linked was tested. It looks basically like the ones that were tested by the NHTSA so how would it work any differently?

 

[beattyfamily]

OP, do what's best for you and your family. Don't let others guilt you into doing something.

I stopped bringing carseats at age 6 on vacations since its one week out of the year. Its a judgement call and its mine to make and live with and no one else. We are fine with this decision.

Some are SO judgemental and think they are perfect parents.

 

[all4fun]

OP, I certainly hope that none of my posts came across as judgemental. I was just trying to provide some helpful information so you (and anyone reading this thread) can make an informed decision about your child's safety. After all, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for kids, and within the unintentional injury category, car crashes account for the highest percentage of child deaths: (http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/RNotes/2006/810568.pdf, http://www.statisticstop10.com/Causes_of_Death_Kids.html) Accidents can happen anywhere, even if you're on vacation.

 

[LilGMom]

While the Florida law might say that a child over the age of five doesn't need to be in a carseat you should go more by height and weight than age. My youngest at the age of ten months was the size of almost an 18 month old but he remained rear facing until the limits of his seat requited us to turn him forward facing.

If the child's legs do not hang over the seat completely while their backs are against the back of the seat they should still be in a seat of some type, a highback booster, a backless booster, etc. A phone book will not prevent a child from sliding forward. The gov't push is to keep a child in a seat, of some type, until they are 4'9".

Not debating, car seat safety is something I am very passionate about.

 

[Hannathy]

OP, do what's best for you and your family. Don't let others guilt you into doing something.

I stopped bringing carseats at age 6 on vacations since its one week out of the year. Its a judgement call and its mine to make and live with and no one else. We are fine with this decision.

Some are SO judgemental and think they are perfect parents.

I totally agree with this post.

Of course accidents are the top killer of children in this country! They always will be. Thanks to our fantastic medical care and standard of living what else is going to be? No one here is dieing of waterborne illnesses like in the 3rd world or starving to death. (and I don't mean the few child abuse horror stories)

 

[beattyfamily]

While the Florida law might say that a child over the age of five doesn't need to be in a carseat you should go more by height and weight than age. My youngest at the age of ten months was the size of almost an 18 month old but he remained rear facing until the limits of his seat requited us to turn him forward facing.

If the child's legs do not hang over the seat completely while their backs are against the back of the seat they should still be in a seat of some type, a highback booster, a backless booster, etc. A phone book will not prevent a child from sliding forward. The gov't push is to keep a child in a seat, of some type, until they are 4'9".

Not debating, car seat safety is something I am very passionate about.

You have a right to your opinion about what you 'should' do and to be passionate about whatever you want, but other parents have a right to our opinions even if they differ from yours and it doesn't mean you are a better or more concerned parent. We just have different 'comfort levels' while on vacation.

 

[all4fun]

You have a right to your opinion about what you 'should' do and to be passionate about whatever you want, but other parents have a right to our opinions even if they differ from yours and it doesn't mean you are a better or more concerned parent. We just have different 'comfort levels' while on vacation.

Where did she ever say she was a better or more concerned parent?

 

[beattyfamily]

Where did she ever say she was a better or more concerned parent?

I didn't say she did say that, I said 'it doesn't mean you are...' as an FYI.

 

[MiniGirl]

If your state says they need a car sear for safety why in the world would you even care what any other state says? I will never understand some people parenting skills.

Actually, I think it was very prudent of the pp to check the carseat laws for all of the states they would be driving through. If they resided in a state with more lenient laws and followed those guidelines for whatever reason, they would be in violation of the laws in other states. I also think that many (probably most) parents go beyond what the state requires -- especially in states with lenient laws, but checking is always a good idea. Sorry, but I just really don't understand this flame.

 

[U2_rocks!]

Sorry, but I just really don't understand this flame.

Me either.