But if this is based on safety, should I stop using my backless booster? – The evidence shows high-backed Group 2/3 (booster) car seats offer a higher level of protection compared to backless boosters (booster cushions). At MadeForMums, we would therefore recommend using high-backed car seats up to the height of 135cm or until children are over 12 years old.
Are backless boosters legal in UK?
The Department for Transport has been notified by the UN that the new rules for manufacturers of backless booster seats apply from 9 Feb 2017. The new rules mean that manufacturers aren’t allowed to introduce new models of backless booster seats for children shorter than 125cm or weighing less than 22kg.
What is the UK law on booster seats?
When can kids legally travel without a car seat? – UK law dictates that a child must use a child car seat until they’re 12-years-old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first. Children over the age of 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt. There are some exceptions when a child does not need to legally use a car seat:
A child can travel in a taxi or minicab without a car seat, but wearing a seat belt, if the driver doesn’t provide the correct child car seat. They must travel in the rear and wear an adult seat belt if they’re over the age of three. Children under three should travel without a seat belt.Children can also travel in a coach or minibus without a child car seat, but must travel in the rear seats of a minibus if a child car seat or an adult seat belt isn’t fitted. If child car seats are not fitted or deemed unsuitable, children aged three or older travelling in a minibus must use a seat belt.A child aged three or older may also use an adult seat belt if making an unexpected but necessary journey over a short distance.
The same rules apply for children with disabilities or medical conditions, but they may use a disabled person’s seat belt or child restraint designed for their needs. A doctor may issue an exemption certificate if necessary. However, if you don’t make sure any child passengers have the right car seat, in accordance with the law, and they’re injured or killed in an accident, your car insurance may not cover you.
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What age do you stop using a 5 point harness?
When can a child start to use a booster seat? – A child is ready for a booster seat when they have outgrown the height or weight limit of their 5-point harness car seat. This is usually when they reach over 65 pounds or 49 inches. You can check your car seat’s manual for its height and weight limits and if it can be converted to a booster seat.
Generally, kids weighing over 65 pounds are ready to switch to a booster seat. When your child reaches 49 inches (about 4 feet) tall. When you believe your child is mature enough to properly sit in a booster seat with the seat belt correctly positioned at all times.
It’s important not to rush the switch to a booster seat. If your child still fits the height and weight requirements of their car seat, that is their safest option.
Does my child need a high back booster?
We recommend using a high back booster as often as possible and for as long as possible. The seat belt typically stays better positioned on the child’s body when in a high back booster, since kids don’t tend to lean sideways as much both while awake and while sleeping when in a high back compared to a backless booster.
Also a high back booster is more likely to keep the child’s body better positioned and the seat belt on the proper parts of the body during pre-crash maneuvers like swerving and hard braking than a backless booster. – For kids who like to sleep in the car, choose a high-back booster that has a recline and a well designed head rest.
These design aspects can help the child sleep better and longer while keeping their body better positioned in the seat belt during sleep. One high back booster we find that is especially good for sleeping is the Maxi Cosi RodiFix, Great times to bring a backless booster are when it just isn’t practical to bring a high back – like when you are going in a taxi/Uber/Lyft, or are sending your child home from school with a parent who you aren’t sure has an extra booster in their car.
- When using any backless booster and some high back boosters – specifically those where the back is somewhat flimsy – the vehicle seat needs to support up to at least the top of the child’s ears to decrease the chance of the child getting whiplash.
- The vehicle seat refers to either the seat itself or the head restraint (if the vehicle has one there); some part of the vehicle’s structure must support up to the top of the ears.
If the seat back is not tall enough, then the child needs a high back booster.
