2006-12-01 03:32:17 · 24 answers · asked by Mark 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
As an accident biomechanics expert, with a child, who has seen first hand the devastation an airbag can cause a young body, here is the best advice I can give.
Regulations regarding the height and weight of a child are designed to be good rules for the bulk of the population, but there is a more common sense approach to your child's safety than by using weights and measures. Keep your child in a car seat as long as he/she fits - it's the safest way for him/her to travel. After that move to a booster seat. Do this as long as you can get a proper fitting of the seat belt around your child. By this I mean that with the booster seat, the seat belt should fit your child like an adult - the lap portion should cross at the waist across the bony protuberances of the pelvis, not the abdomen so that soft organs will be damaged. The shoulder portion should rest across the collar bone and shoulder, not across the neck, chest or arm. When this fit can be maintained without a booster seat, it's ok to lose the booster seat.
With my own kid, I plan to let her into the front seat when she reaches 5'2", because that's the height of a 25th percentile woman. She knows to keep her seatbelt on properly and to have the seat pushed all the way back.
I hope this helps.
2006-12-01 04:13:59 · answer #1 · answered by squang 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The weight limit on a typical 5 point harness is 40 pounds. If you buy an expensive carseat, thhe 5 point harness goes to a higher weight limit.
After 40 pounds, move your child to a high back booster seat. This seat keeps the seatbelt where it should be (across the lap) and it lifts children up so they can see out the windows. Keep your child in this booster till they are atleast 80 pounds.
The rule in my van is until you are 80 pounds and your feet can rest on the floorboard, you are in a booster. I don't care if the laws in my state say differently. I don't care if my child objects. I would much rather have an unhappy but safe and secure child in a booster seat than be planning a funeral for my child because I didn't want him to be embarrased about still being in a booster seat.
2006-12-01 13:50:46 · answer #2 · answered by Holly C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every state has different rules and guidelines for that topic. To be safe I would get with your local police department or contact a car seat tech in your area. I am a certified Child Passanger Safety Tech in the state of WI. Our guidelines are now rear facing until 1 year AND 20 lbs and now in a car seat (with harness) until 30 lbs, and a child under the age of 8 or 80lbs must be in a booster seat at least. The longer a child is in a car seat, the safer the child is, plain and simple. Why put your child at any risk?
2006-12-01 03:39:38 · answer #3 · answered by angie_laffin927 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
States differ from each other on their requirements for car seat requirements. NE requires the child to be at least 6 years of age, and weigh at least 60 lbs. They also recommend a booster seat until they reach 9 years of age and 80 lbs. Children under the age of 12 are not recommended to sit in the front seat due to air bags. But, each state is different. Check with the National Safety Council in your state to be certain of their requirements and recommendations.
2006-12-01 03:39:12 · answer #4 · answered by night worker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 kids and I know that they have to be atleast 40 pounds and they can be in the booster seat which is the seat that has no back. But I dont know the age to be out a seat completely.
2006-12-01 03:35:23 · answer #5 · answered by kenyadazchick 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 8 year old stillsits in a booster seat. You need to call the local police or courthouse and ask this. It varies by state and country. Some are alot more strict than others.
2006-12-01 03:40:20 · answer #6 · answered by Velken 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure what age, and I dont know if the weight varies by state. But in Michigan its 50 pounds and there isnt an age since you just have to be 50 pund or was it 40?? Wait its like 40!
2006-12-01 03:36:41 · answer #7 · answered by Save the Whales. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indiana say 4 foot 9 and under. But consider, have to wear a seltbelt in car for safety but not a helmet on a motorcycle. If they raise it to 4 foot 11 1/2 I know a 56 y/o who will have a problem.
2006-12-01 03:35:59 · answer #8 · answered by bubbles_grandpa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It varies by state, but you can check the national highway traffic highway safety website for the laws. It is broken down into the laws for each state and each weight range. I found it very helpful as my son grew out of his carseat and into the booster. He just grew out of his booster this past summer when he hit 80 pounds at 8 1/2 yrs old! He was very happy. Here in NC, they have to be 8 and 80 lbs.
2006-12-01 03:44:58 · answer #9 · answered by silverbuggy00 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its no longer by age .. it;s by weight.
once they grow out of a car seat they need to be in a booster seat...
i think its about 60 pounds.
2006-12-01 03:35:10 · answer #10 · answered by laydenirvine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋