Your child’s readiness to switch from a car seat to a seat belt alone depends on the follow

• child’s age
• child’s size
• the type of vehicle you use
• the law in your state

Kids are not ready to switch from a booster seat to a seat belt until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and can also pass the 5 step test. This is usually around age 8 to 10.

The 5 step test includes the following :

• can the child keep his back against the vehicle seat ?
• does your child’s  knees comfortably bend at the edge of the seat?
• is the lap seat comfortably resting below the child’s belly, touching the top of his thighs ?
• is the shoulder belt centered across the child’s shoulder and chest ?
• can the child stay like this for the whole trip ?

If you answer no to any of the questions above, then your child is not ready to switch from a booster seat to a seat belt.

Why should i wait before switching my child from a booster seat to seat belt ?

A booster seat protects the child better than a seat belt alone. During a collision, an ill fitted seat belt can cause injury instead  of preventing it.  If the lap belt rests on the child belly, the child could suffer from liver, stomach or spleen damage. If the shoulder belt rest on his neck rather than chest, the child may try to move it under his arm.This can cause cracked ribs or damage to internal organs in the event of a collision. The child may also move the belt to his back. In this case, the seat belt offers no protection at all against head, neck or spinal injury .

NOTE

• The shoulder belt fits across the collarbone and chest. It should not cut into a child’s abdomen or neck.
• The lap belt should fit the child low across the hips and thighs, not across the abdomen.
• Children 13 years and younger should be properly restrained in the back seat.
• Teenagers should wear lap and shoulder belts in every seating position in a motor vehicle.
• ALWAYS require safety belt use for all passengers and model good behavior