According to a study from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia [CHOP], children 4-8 years old who ride in child booster seats are 45 percent less likely to sustain injuries than children who wear only a seat belt.
While you may have spent the money investing in an expensive child booster seat, it will not be effective unless you use it properly.
In a study conducted by Riley Hospital for Children, nearly 65 percent of children riding in child booster seats were not restrained properly because of incorrect seat belt positioning.
Since seat belts are designed for adults, a good child booster seat, at the very minimum, should help elevate your child so that the seat belt fits their smaller frame comfortably. Beyond that, there are a few key criteria on which to evaluate the seat belt.
Here are three ways to help ensure your child is secured properly and safe on the road:
1. Thighs
When your child is sitting on the booster seat, the lap belt should lie flat across the child’s upper thighs, not their abdomen which is more prone to injury in the event of a car accident.
2. Shoulders
The shoulder belt should fit snuggly across the middle of your child’s shoulder. If it is too loose, it will not provide effective protection. If the belt is too tight, it may become uncomfortable and increase the likelihood of your child attempting to adjust it behind their back or under their arm.
3. Head Support
There are two types of booster seats: high back and backless. Depending on how tall your child is, you may need to purchase a booster seat with extra head support, such as a high back booster. High backs have built-in guides to route shoulders and lap belts and offers head support. If the tops of your child’s ears are higher than the head rest on the booster seat, you should select a backless booster seat. For some backless booster seats, you may need a lap belt to properly position the seat belt.
For more information on child booster seats, you can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) page on Child Passenger Safety. This site has resources on choosing a good car seat and education videos on properly restraining your child.
{ 1 comment }
Great product for your kids in the vehicles.
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