How to properly secure a booster in a car?

Any parent’s first concern is making sure their child is safe when they are riding in the car. The move from a car seat to a booster is a crucial one as your child gets older. But having the appropriate equipment isn’t enough; it also needs to be installed properly.

Children may not be adequately protected in an accident by boosters that are not securely fastened. The proper positioning and fastening of a booster seat can significantly impact your child’s safety when driving.

This post will walk you through the process of securely fastening a booster seat in your vehicle and provide helpful advice on how to keep your kid safe when driving.

What is it?

A booster is a type of lining, an armrest-equipped seat without a back (the back of the car seat serves as the support).

In contrast to a car seat, a booster lacks both a back and its own seat belts; instead, a child seated on one is supposed to be buckled up using the regular seat belts. This is actually the entire purpose of the accessory: it raises a short child significantly above the level of a typical car seat, which places the standard car belt exactly where it should be for an adult.

This option is useful for kids because the wide seat doesn’t cause the little passenger to fidget during sharp turns because it roughly fits their dimensions, and it’s safely fastened in case of an accident. Because it is inexpensive and lightweight, with only a seat and a set of tiny handrails, parents choose this car accessory.

Of course, not every child is a good fit for the booster because of its design features. For instance, it is totally inappropriate for newborns and the youngest preschoolers, but it can be used gradually starting around the age of 3–4 years old, given that the child is at least 120 cm tall and safely restrained in a designated model. In addition, a lot of universal car seat models made for varying child ages allow parents to gradually loosen the back of the seat to use it as a booster.

The traffic rules don’t use the term "booster" at all, but they do require that children under the age of 12 be transported in special restraining devices, which include boosters.

In addition to offering a significantly higher level of safety in an emergency, a fully certified accessory can help prevent a fine of three thousand rubles when meeting with traffic police officers, unlike haphazardly made pillows and other pads "under the butt."

Simultaneously, some dishonest law enforcement officials attempt to use the driver’s lack of literacy to their advantage by fining him despite the booster’s presence, claiming that the device does not adhere to the traffic regulations. All that’s left to do in such circumstances is protect your rights, ideally by presenting all required certificates of conformance.

Where is it better to install in a car?

Chapter 22.9 Traffic rules make it very evident that a driver has the option of mounting a booster on the front or back seat of their vehicle. However, since it is generally regarded as less safe, drivers are generally more willing to pay this type of fine. As a result, traffic police officers attempt to collect illegal fines specifically in the case when a child is transported in a booster on the front seat.

Since there isn’t really a crime here, it should be understood that such a fine will end up in the wallet of an enterprising inspector. Moreover, it is highly discouraged to install a booster up front, much like a car seat.

The middle position in the back seat of an automobile is thought to be the safest because it provides a small passenger with consistent protection from side and frontal collisions.

It may seem counterintuitive, but you must deactivate the airbags on the side where the child is still seated. The purpose of this action is to highlight how frequently these airbags open with significant force, which means that the baby, whose bones are still developing, could be injured. Simultaneously, certain delicate safety mechanisms are activated even in mild collisions, and it is later discovered that the child’s injuries were not caused by the collision per se, but rather by the car manufacturer’s genuine concern for the passengers’ safety.

It should be noted separately that no booster allows you to fasten a child "backwards," despite the fact that many pediatric specialists demand a legislative ban on transporting children under five years old in a car in a forward-facing position. This means that in the event of an abrupt braking, a forceful "nod" of the head is possible without the body moving forward, which can result in a neck injury on its own, particularly if the child in question is small.

Fastening with standard seat belts

Up until now, the majority of booster models have assumed that the passenger will be secured in the vehicle using a regular seat belt, which fixes both the passenger and his seat. Even though this fixation technique isn’t the most dependable, it works flawlessly on all vehicles, including the earliest models produced by the Soviet auto industry.

First, the gadget is just set on top of the car seat, and then the child is seated in it. The lower strap is pulled under the armrests, resting on the passenger’s legs, regardless of the baby’s weight or height, securing the accessory in place. The baby’s back is secured with a diagonal belt, and depending on his weight, there are already slight variations in how to properly secure the infant.

Preschoolers in group 2 car seats who weigh between 15 and 25 kg only need to have one armrest pulled under the shoulder belt; in group 3, children who weigh between 22 and 36 kg, have to have the passenger buckled on top of the armrests because the upper portion of the belt does not pass under them at all.

It should be mentioned that a lot of manufacturers also include a unique loop with the booster, which is meant to be used to pull the regular seat belt farther away from the child’s face. The diagonal belt behind the infant is where the loop is fastened.

Experts point out that this type of device’s primary purpose is typically not fulfilled because, in a high-impact collision, the belt suddenly releases, causing it to smash forcefully into the small passenger’s face and cause injuries. Consequently, it is only recommended to purchase such a loop if the child is constantly rubbing his neck against the standard car belt.

One of the most crucial things you can do to ensure your child’s safety when driving is to make sure their booster seat is correctly secured. If you know what to do when installing a booster and you follow the manufacturer’s instructions, you can greatly lower the chance of getting hurt in an accident.

Always position the booster in the back seat, and make sure your child’s seat belt fits over their shoulders and hips comfortably. Steer clear of common mistakes that reduce the effectiveness of safety measures, such as placing the seatbelt behind the back or under the arm.

You can drive with more peace of mind knowing your child is well-protected if you take the time to double-check the installation and ensure they are positioned correctly in the booster.

To guarantee your child’s safety when traveling, make sure the booster seat is securely fastened in the vehicle. The procedure is setting the booster in the back seat, ensuring that it is positioned correctly, and fastening the child’s seatbelt to the booster using the car’s seatbelt. It’s imperative to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure the child’s seatbelt fits securely across their hips and shoulders, not their neck or stomach. In addition to keeping your child comfortable, proper installation significantly lowers the possibility of injury in the event of an accident.

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