Factors To Consider So You Know When To Use Booster Seats

By Marie Watson


A booster is often used by parents when they want to upgrade the seat of their son or daughter. When children reach a certain age, they are trained to learn how to sit on their own and these items are a safe way to do so. In fact, there are many countries in the world that require children of certain age groups to be seated in one when inside a vehicle.

This transition is no easy feat though, and must be done at the right time and place. As a parent, you can tell when the right time has come when you are able to notice the essential signs that indicate when to use booster seats. If you are in this stage during the development of your child, then this article is for you.

There are many determining factors that may indicate when a child is ready. This entails how old they are, their height, as well as their weight. According to the industry standard, a child must be at least 4 years of age and weighs a minimum of 40 pounds in order to ensure safety. If your child does not meet these requirements, consider postponing your purchase.

Safety should always be your main priority, as a parent you want nothing but the best for your son or daughter and always want to protect them. Following this logic, the booster you plan on purchasing should have a lap and shoulder belt. Only having one of these is not enough to ensure security and besides, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

For best protection, it would be best to situate it in the back seat because it is far safer than being in front. In case of falls or crashes their fall will be cushioned by the surrounding seats and the likelihood of them crashing into glass is minimized. This will also benefit the driver because it will eliminate any distraction since they can always keep an eye on the kid through the rearview mirror.

When you are seriously considering installing boosters, familiarize yourself with the important safety guidelines associated with it. For instance, a rear facing seat is advisable for children who have no previous experience using one. Choosing a forward facing position will affect the way their neck grows and may cause some deformities since they are in the tender age where their bones are still developing.

Majority of boosters will have important instructions printed on the back to guide the user. Always read this portion and familiarize yourself with it so you will know what to do in any type of situation. Furthermore, the seat should be tightly fitted, which leaves no room for it to move sideways or lurch forwards. This is an important responsibility that should not be disregarded.

If this is your first time purchasing a booster, you may feel conflicted on how tight the seatbelts should be. An easy method so you can tell is by inserting 1 or 2 fingers between the child and the belt. If you can easily fit your fingers between them without excess space, then it is just the right fit. Of course, this varies depending upon any weight change and if the clothes they are wearing is too thick or not.

These materials cost money but are worth every dime. You will want to make sure it remains effective, so do not neglect cleaning it regularly and checking on the adjustments. This will ensure its effectiveness and preserving its usage.




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