Child Booster Seats: Boosting Child’s Safety

The research study of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reveals that children aged 4 to 8 years who ride in child booster seats are 45 % less likely to get injured as compared to those children who just wear a seat belt. When a person spends the money on an worthy child booster seat, it will be ineffective unless it is properly used. A research study conducted by Riley Hospital for Children reveals that almost 65 % of children who ride in a child booster seat were not properly controlled due to the incorrect seat belt positioning. Seat belts are usually designed for adults, a proper child booster seat at a minimum will definitely lift up the child so that the seat belt will comfortably fit to their smaller frame. There are few criteria beyond that for elevating the seat belt. Following are three ways that will help in ensuring that the child is properly secured and is safe on the road: 1. Shoulders The shoulder belt should be able to comfortably fit across the middle of the child’s shoulder. In case if it is very loose, then it will not be able to effectively provide protection. If the belt is very tight, then it can become uncomfortable increasing the possibility that the child would attempt to adjust it under their arm or behind their back. 2. Thighs When a child is sitting on a booster seat, the lap belt has to lie flat across the upper thighs of the child, it should be not on their abdomen which is more likely to cause injury in the event of any accident. 3. Head Support Two types of booster seats are available. The high back and backless depends on the height of the child and a booster seat with additional head support might have to be purchased like the high back booster. The have built-in guides to route lap belts and shoulders offering head support. If the top of the child’s ear is higher than the booster seat’s head rest, then a backless booster seat should be selected. Some backless booster seats require a lap belt for properly positioning the seat belt. If more information is required on child booster seats, the page of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can be visited on the website of Child Passenger Safety. This website contains the resources for selecting a good car seat and educational videos for properly restraining a child.