[Gossipgirl]

OK with all the target sales and carseats on special my cousin has posted on facebook that she picked up a bargain a booster for under $100 her son turned 3 about 3 weeks ago she says he is 18 kilos and is using the harness that you add on to it and so its fine.

So is it??? because he is 18 kilos he can sit in the booster with the harness on or is still the fact he is under 4 he legally has to stay in a seat with the in built harness?
Thanks in advance

[~_jen_~]

The rules do state that "A 3 year old child that is too big for a child seat can be seated in a booster seat instead."

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/D...aints_qanda.pdf

[~_jen_~]

From my knowledge of car seats, I would think the important thing is that she uses the 5 point harness and not a booster with the car seat belt. Also, the booster seats with backs on them are more effective.

[I*Love*Christmas]

I am more inclined to go by weight rather than age.

[Dinosaurus]

I have a 3yo who was 19kg by his 3rd birthday and 108cm - I bought the biggest car seat available with a 5 point harness because he had already outgrown the one he got at 2.5 when his little brother graduated to his seat!

I recently had to have him in a seatbelt/booster in the UK as there was no other option and no way would I take that option before I had too. He didn't look safe, he could undo the seatbelt, he could lean forward and reach the window (manual), door handle, his brother...

But mine might be a bit more 'active' than hers.

[lsolaBella]

New seats are height based not weight based.

Legally he should still be in a seat with inbuilt 5pt harness. An add on harness with a booster does not satisfy this legal requirement, as well as not being recommended due to potential safety issues -refer to sticky at top if this forum about safety concerns over harnesses with booster seats.

An old up to 18 kgs seat was tested with 22kgs test dummies, so is fine to use to 22kgs. Current height based marked seats will suit children up to over 120cm in height depending on the seat. Most seats allow for children to 110cm and the smaller ones to around 100cm. So there is a vast difference. You may have issues legally arguing that your child was too big for a seat if they are only 100cm.

So unless you nephew is over 120cm in height and over 22kgs your cousin is breaking the law as well as not looking after her child's safety.

ETA also unless he is around 100cm he may not reach the minimum height requirements for a booster seat.



This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 17/01/2013, 12:00 PM

[Gossipgirl]

Thank you for the replies he doesn't look like he is 18 kilos or over but I guess if he is and she wants to have him in the booster than its fine.

I had my Daughter in a in built harness until she was over 4 and was told her seat was tested with a dummy over 18 kilos so it was ok.

Car seats stress me out I always pray that my kids are restrained properlly.

[kerilyntaryn]

So unless you nephew is over 120cm in height and over 22kgs your cousin is breaking the law as well as not looking after her child's safety.

I agree with this - going by height is more important too

I had my daughter in the 5 pt till she was 7 and my son in the booster seat till he was 150 cm

This post has been edited by kerilyntaryn: 17/01/2013, 12:29 PM

[sparkler]

I would be concerned that a three year old would not be mature enough to use a booster.

This post has been edited by sparkler: 20/01/2013, 11:28 PM

[LeiLei]

I agree with the OPs - he is not big enough for a booster and should be in an in-built harness. Despite being the law, it is far safer for him.

There are plenty of tall convertible booster seats to keep him in an inbuilt harness for a good couple of years yet - some like the Infa Rallye/Rovette/Roamer are often on sale for $130.

http://www.mybabywarehouse.com.au/index.ph...seat-black.html

Your cousin could return the booster and pay $30 more to have a safe and legal seat for her son.