Motorcar crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children. This number can be reduced by around 50 percent with the booster or other specialized seats. But the problem is that most people don’t know how to use them properly or booster car seat how to install? Because of their ignorance, they can’t enjoy the full advantages of those booster seats.
To ensure the proper use of those booster car seats, I demonstrated the step-by-step process of installing booster car seats. I strongly believe that after going through this article titled “How to install a booster car seat,” you will know better about the installation process and be able to install them on your own.
What is a booster seat and when to let the child use it?
A booster seat is a type of seat that uplifts the child so that the car’s seat belts- lap and shoulder- fit them properly. Ensuring the belts are positioned as they should be, we can ensure the five-point harness for them- the two are on their shoulders, two are on hips, and the rest is situated where the harness buckles between the baby’s legs.
However, when your child has outgrown the front-facing car seat but is not fit for the regular seat, you can let them sit on a booster seat in the timespan.
Start putting your baby in a booster car seat when they are 38-40 inches tall or weigh 40 pounds.
If you can do this properly, the booster seats will reduce the crash risk to around half.
Booster car seat how to install?
Car crashes are one of the leading causes of child death. The death toll can be reduced by 45 percent by using proper seats for the children. Around 46 percent of the seatbelts are installed improperly, according to CDS. The process is discussed here to help you with the problem.
Step 1: Selecting the booster car seat
There are three types of booster car seats available in the market. Considering your car seats, you have to choose a booster seat from them. These are;
The High-back booster seat has a headrest that supports your child’s head. If your car has a short seat back and no headrest, you can use the high-back booster seats for your baby.
The backless booster seat is a typical seat with no back to recline. Usually, when your car has a long back seat and a headrest, you can buy a backless booster seat for your baby. Since the car seat has a headrest, you should not use another headrest, which can cause discomfort for your baby.
However, the backless boosters are less cozy than the high-back boosters and are easy to carry from one vehicle to another.
Combination booster seat: it has an internal harness system, which can be used with the harness until your child reaches the maximum height and weight. It also can be used without the harness as a belt-positioning booster seat. That’s why it has been named a combination booster car seat.
Step 2: Reading the manufacturer’s manual for the underwater scooter
Every booster car seat comes with an installation manual. Read them properly before installing them into your car or vehicle seats. Although it demonstrates the best installation process for particular seats, I described some common processes here to help you.
Step 3: Choosing the right seat to place your booster
The best position to place a booster car seat is the rear seat of your car, which has a lap and shoulder belts.
The backless model should only be used in positions with high back and headrests. Otherwise, use the high-back booster seats for your baby.
Step 4: Ensure that your child is comfortable with the booster car seat
This is the easy but typical step in installing a booster car seat.
Have your child sit in the booster seat and pull the lap and shoulder belts across the body. Buckle them. If the shoulder strap stays in front of your child’s shoulder and the lap strap is on their thighs.
For more assurance, keep an eye on the stripes, and make sure that the shoulder belt is properly positioned across the center of the chest and resting on the shoulder while the lap belt is on the hips and touching the thighs.
Moreover, your child’s ears should be below the headrest.
Step 5: Tying the belt of the booster
If everything is okay, it’s time to tie the belts. Tie the lap belt strip as it passes under the handrest of the booster seats. And make sure that the shoulder belts are positioned on the shoulder, not the throat.
If the shoulder belt is not resting on the shoulder, use the belt-positioning system of the booster seat.
Installing a booster car seat with the LATCH system
Are there some booster car seats that come with the LATCH system? You may think about those booters, aren’t you? It is quite similar to installing a regular booster car seat. First, read the manufacturer’s manual and fit your baby into it. Do the same as you did for the seat without the LATCH system: buckle the belts properly in a place as they should be.
Usually, the LATCH is an optional security system for your booster car seat. Using it, you can place the seat more tightly than the regular booster car seat, keeping it in position. Fit the rope to the upper anchors of the car seat and the lower anchor to the lower anchorage of the car seat. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also recommends to use it.
What to consider before moving your baby to a regular seat?
When your child measures 5 feet tall and weighs 80 pounds, consider them capable of using a regular car seat.
But this would not always be the proper time for the change. So, consider five things before moving your child to a regular car seat. These are;
1. Can your child sit properly with their back against the vehicle seats?
2. Do your child’s knees bend in front of the edge of the seat cushion?
3. Is the lap belt sitting low across your child’s hip and touching their thighs?
4. Does the shoulder belt sit against the middle of your child’s shoulders?
5. Can your child stay seated correctly like this for the duration of the trip?
If the answer to all of these questions is positive, consider them for a regular seat with a harness; otherwise, wait a bit, letting them grow more.
Conclusion
This article provides an insightful installation process for a booster car seat. You have to install the booster car seats considering the child’s height, weight, comfort, and the car seat’s condition. It’s obvious that every model has a different installation process, so consider the manufacturer’s manual when installing a booster car seat.