Boosters

2 Basic Types Belt Positioning Belt Positioning Backless Backless High back High back Shield (no longer on the market, lbs.) Shield (no longer on the market, lbs.) 

Belt Positioning Boosters High BackBackless

BPB Effectiveness Belt-positioning booster seats lower the risk of injury to children in crashes by 59 percent compared to the use of vehicle seat belts alone. Proper belt positioning of the belt by booster seats virtually eliminates injuries associated with seat belt syndrome, including injuries to the abdomen and spine. Source: Partners for Child Passenger Safety as appears in CHOP report

Is one safer than the other? Both provide crash protection in a crash Both provide crash protection in a crash Both lift the child up so the adult lap- shoulder belt fits correctly. Both lift the child up so the adult lap- shoulder belt fits correctly.

Backless BPB  Low seats appeal to older children who don’t want to be seen using a “little kid’s seat” (although older, taller children would benefit from a high back booster in vehicles with rear seat head restraints).  Narrow base of some may improve access to belt buckles if three children are in restraints across the back seat.  Some are adjustable in width.  Low cost ($15-30)  Compactness is convenient for air travelers to pack for use at the end of the fight.  Shoulder belt guides on straps may be difficult to use, not present, or easily lost. Source: Safe Ride News March/April 2006.

SAMPLE: Backless shoulder belt adjuster

High back BPB  Research shows a benefit for high-back boosters over lap-shoulder belts in side impacts (data on backless booster was insufficient to make a statement of effectiveness) (Safe Ride News, November/December 2005).  Backs offer varying degrees of rear-impact head/neck protection (although a few do not allow use if the child’s head is above the vehicle seat back).  Built-in shoulder belt guides allow proper positioning of the belt (although some guides hinder retraction of the shoulder belt, an important deficit).  Adjustable headrests with side-wings help keep sleeping children upright with the shoulder belt positioned properly  More expensive than backless BPBs Source: Safe Ride News March/April 2006.

SAMPLE: High back shoulder belt adjuster

The cup holder The latest technology to get kids to want to be in boosters. The latest technology to get kids to want to be in boosters.

Weight Limits Weight limits vary Weight limits vary Usually for high back BPB Usually for high back BPB Usually for backless BPB Usually for backless BPB Watch for proper belt path and fit Watch for proper belt path and fit Look on labels for specific height and weight limits Look on labels for specific height and weight limits Some no longer have height limits Some no longer have height limits

Lots to choose from!

Airbags That’s a nice bag you have but you need a belt to go with it.

Airbag warning labels

ACTIVE Airbag Suppression Manual On/Off switch Manual On/Off switch ON for older kids and adults ON for older kids and adults OFF for children OFF for children

PASSIVE Airbag suppression Front passenger seat Front passenger seat Turns the frontal and/or side passenger air bag off (or depowers it) under specific conditions. Turns the frontal and/or side passenger air bag off (or depowers it) under specific conditions. You must read the Owner’s Manual to determine if it is present and how status is indicated You must read the Owner’s Manual to determine if it is present and how status is indicated

2 passive suppression options 1. Turning off the frontal airbag entirely for the front passenger if a weight sensor or other type of sensor detects a child or child-sized person is in the outboard front seat. 2. Deploying the frontal airbag in a way that's less likely to cause harm to an occupant who's sitting out of position in a seat. An example is to install dual-stage inflators in the front-passenger frontal airbag that provide for a lower-level airbag deployment when needed. An example is to install dual-stage inflators in the front-passenger frontal airbag that provide for a lower-level airbag deployment when needed.

Side Impact Airbags Check the vehicle and child restraint manufacturers' recommendations for child restraint use in that vehicle. Check the vehicle and child restraint manufacturers' recommendations for child restraint use in that vehicle.

NHTSA SAB recommendations ALL children use a safety restraint appropriate for their age and size (this could be a safety seat, booster seat or adult safety belt). ALL children use a safety restraint appropriate for their age and size (this could be a safety seat, booster seat or adult safety belt). Children aged 12 and younger are safest sitting in the rear seat properly restrained. Children aged 12 and younger are safest sitting in the rear seat properly restrained. NEVER place a rear-facing infant seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a front passenger air bag. NEVER place a rear-facing infant seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a front passenger air bag. Do not not lean or rest against chest-only or head/chest combination SABs. Do not not lean or rest against chest-only or head/chest combination SABs. NHTSA has not seen any indication of risks to children from current roof-mounted head SABs. NHTSA has not seen any indication of risks to children from current roof-mounted head SABs. Source:

What will they think of next?

Not just for cars… GL 1800 Goldwing GL 1800 Goldwing

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