Ok... I had to come back to this post after watching the U-tube video.
I need to clarify some mis-information on that video.
First, even if Kyle had been in a 5 pt harness, he would not have walked away from that accident as his sister did. The fault was NOT in the booster seat. The fault was in the seatbelt. The seatbelt came unlatched. If he had been in a 5pt harness, installed via the seatbelt, the seatbelt still would've come undone and flung him in his seat. Injuries definitely would've occurred. Death still might have occurred.
Second, I have to chuckle at this promotion of using a 5 pt harness -- mainly b/c the photo that shows the 6 yr old (in the $200+ carseat that has a 5pt harness with a weight limit of 80lbs)well, her harness isn't tight enough. She possibly will be thrown from the carseat itself in a similar accident b/c her harness is not tight enough.
Third, use of LATCH (lower anchors & tethers) is questionable for children over 40-50 lbs. There are questions about the lower anchors strength limits. Thus, the video/family is recommending that we all keep our kids in a 5 pt harness until 80lbs AND that we make sure we can install that carseat via the lower anchors. And they even recommend the Britax Regent. YET, Britax specifically advises the following: (I have copied and pasted this from the Britax Regent manual)
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Britax Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with children weighing more than 48 pounds (21 kg). Refer to the vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer for the maximum weight rating for their lower anchors. Unless specified otherwise by the vehicle manufacturer, assume a 48-pound child is the vehicle LATCH anchor limit. |
Fourth, seatbelts & booster seats & carseats are not the end-all, be-all people! If you are sitting still and a semi-truck plows into you doing 50+ mph, you will be lucky to survive. REGARDLESS of how you are or are not strapped into the car. Some accidents are just un-survivable. That's the bottom line. This family only describes the other driver as incompetent and having run a red light. My question: what type vehicle? Semi truck? Pick up truck? Suburban? VW bug?
Finally, what a great way to scare people!! Esp those that do not have lower anchors in their car, thus can only use a seatbelt to install their 5 pt harness carseats.
Please don't take the above as lack of sympathy and pain for the family. I cried upon seeing the video, then watched it a 2nd time b/c their information didn't sit right with me as a CPS tech.
The best thing to do when buying carseats and/or booster seats for your chlid is to educate yourself on what will fit your car and what will fit your child and what will fit your wallet.