Once your child becomes a pre-teen and is old enough to sit in the front seat, you may be wondering whether you should buy a booster seat for him. In some states, it’s required by law for your child to have a booster seat if he’s under 8 years old.
TIP: Check with the booster seat at Maxi-Cosi. Here are 7 reasons why you might want to get one for your child:
1. The adult belt is too big for your child
The adult lap and shoulder belts are designed to fit adults, so they might not fit properly on your child. The lap belt might slide up above the hips or abdomen and not cover the pelvis or abdomen at all. The shoulder strap could ride up onto the neck or face, causing injury during an accident. A booster seat can raise the child up so that his body is properly restrained by the seat belt.
2. Better safety rates
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), using a booster seat is safer than using a car seat alone. When children are in booster seats, there is less of an injury risk. This is because the belt goes across their shoulder and collarbone instead of their neck. If you’re unsure about lap and shoulder belts properly fitting your child, then you may want to think about getting them a booster seat. Many times, children do not fit correctly in lap and shoulder belts and this leads to serious injuries such as internal bleeding and even broken bones when in an accident.
3. They make the seat belt fit better
Because booster seats lift the child up, they reduce shoulder injuries caused by poorly fitting shoulder straps, which often ride up into the neck area when worn by smaller kids.
4. They're safer
Booster seats are designed to make sure that your child will be strapped in properly and securely. It is a fact that booster seats make children safer in the event of an accident rather than if they were sitting on just a seat belt alone. Some states have laws requiring children to use booster seats, especially those under 8 years old, but it’s best to use them even if it’s not required by law. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
5. They're better for their developing bodies
Seat belts aren’t made for small children, so many times, the shoulder strap can cut into their neck or the lap belt can push on their abdomen. This can cause serious injuries as well as problems with their growing bodies. Booster seats help to evenly distribute the weight across their upper thighs and pelvic area which is much better than putting pressure on their abdomen like regular seat belts do.
6. Comfort
In addition to safety, booster seats also provide comfort for your child because of the way the seat is built and how it contours to their body. These seats often have armrests so your child can rest their arms on them instead of putting pressure on their legs or back.
