Booster Seats?

Question

I have two boys aged 8 and 11. The 8 year old is about 3'11 and weighs about 55 lbs and my 11 year old is 4'6" and weighs about 75 lbs... right now we have a couple of hand me down booster seats from my sister. Our car is equipped with old lap belts in the back and they have had some bad press lately.

Does anyone have any suggestions on new car seats?

Answer 1

varies form state to state in Illinois its 80 pounds and 4'9.

Personally I would get the manufacture to replace the seats belts and if they refuse to have it in writing and let them know they will be held responsible if something happens to your back passengers who are children. (they should replace them then)
Check the date of expiration or manufacture of the car seats They shouldn't be more than 6 years old. they begging to deteriorate with weight and sun damage.

Your childrens hould still be in boosters since they are to small and may cause internal damage if they were riding with just the lap belt or shoulder lap belt combo

Answer 2

Children who have outgrown child safety seats, but are too small to ride safely in adult belts, should be properly restrained in booster seats until they are at least 8 years old, unless they are 4 feet 9 inches tall. If placed in adult safety belts prematurely, children can suffer serious internal injuries, slip out of the safety belt, or be ejected from the vehicle during a crash.

Booster seat use substantially reduces the risk of injury for children age 4 to 8; however, most children in this age group are currently restrained by safety belts designed for adults. In the 2002 study by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, only 16 percent of 4-year-olds, 13 percent of 5-year-olds, and 4 percent of 6- and 7-year-olds were using booster seats.

The CHOP study found that the use of belt-positioning booster seats lowers the risk of injury to children in crashes by 59 percent compared with the use of vehicle safety belts. The study also found that none of the 4- to 7-year-olds who were in belt-positioning booster seats had any injuries to the abdomen, neck, spine, or back. Yet, such injuries did occur in children who used safety belts alone.

Children who are 4 feet 9 inches tall before their 8th birthday may be ready for adult belts. They can start using safety belts when they can place their backs firmly against the vehicle seat-back cushion with their knees bent over the vehicle seat cushion.
YOUNG
CHILDREN 4 to at least 8 years/unless they are 4’9" (57") tall. Belt-Positioning Booster (no back, only) or High Back Belt-Positioning Booster.

NEVER use with lap-only belts—belt-positioning boosters are always used with lap AND shoulder belts. Booster used with adult lap and shoulder belt in rear seat.
Shoulder belt should rest snugly across chest, rests on shoulder; and should NEVER be placed under the arm or behind the back.
Lap-belt should rest low, across the lap/upper thigh area—not across the stomach.

Go to http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.9f8c7d6359e0e9bbbf30811060008a0c/

Answer 3

You should check your state laws. I live in Indiana and our law is 8 years old or 4'9 and they have to have a booster seat. But, I think that may vary state to state.

Answer 4

I think your boys are old enough and big enough that they don't need car seats. The lap belts are not as good as lap/shoulder combination belts. I suppose you could have these installed.