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Original poster

5 year old, no car seat

35 replies

DSM · 05/05/2010 10:06

DP's parents live out in the muddle if the countryside. Whenever we take DS out to visit, they collect us from the nearest train station and we have a 20 minute drive in the car, without a car seat for DS.

Is this safe? Given that it's so infrequent (one every 8 weeks at best) are we doing the right thing? What choice do we have? And what are the legalities?

I have been worrying about it but feel there is no alternative other than not taking DS when we visit.

OP posts:
Senseless · 05/05/2010 10:09

Carry a booster seat with you? Impractical but the only sensible option. Or buy a cheap one for them to keep at their house for when you visit.

ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 05/05/2010 10:11

Give them a booster for him. Ones without a back start at a fiver, Argos have one with a back on sale now for £19.99.

savoycabbage · 05/05/2010 10:12

I wouldn't say that once every eight weeks is infrequent and I would get a carseat for them to use.

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mawbroon · 05/05/2010 10:13

I'm sure I saw this thing that was like a backpack but also a booster seat.

Will google..

ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 05/05/2010 10:13

20 mins drive is definatly illegal. I think tiny tiny journeys are pushing it, but I think are possibly 'legal'.

jenduff · 05/05/2010 10:13

Agree with them up there - spare car seat for GPs - not expensive, doesn't take up too much room but could make such a difference if there were an accident

ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 05/05/2010 10:14

Get it posted to their house (or just take it with you one trip) and get them to keep it in their garage or something & fling it in the boot when they collect you.

Original poster
DSM · 05/05/2010 10:14

Is it a legal requirement for him to have one though? £20 as a lot to us at the moment, especially for something that will be used for 20 minutes every 2-3 months. Unless I am comprimising DS safety (am I?) or breaking the law then I am not sure we can afford the expense.

OP posts:
DomesticGoddessInTraining · 05/05/2010 10:16

I agree with getting a booster seat. You can have an accident no matter how many times you make a journey.

Tee2072 · 05/05/2010 10:16

What is his height and weight?

savoycabbage · 05/05/2010 10:17

Don't you have to be in a carseat until you are 11 or four foot ten or some such thing. I live in Australia so what would I know but I seem to remember my Mum telling me she was under the legal height. She is over twelve though...

DomesticGoddessInTraining · 05/05/2010 10:18

Here's the law on car seats.

fedupwithdeployment · 05/05/2010 10:18

You can get a booster seat for £10 or someone has said £5. Or why not ask friends with 8,9 10 year olds if you can have their old one? I know second hand seats are not generally recommended, but cannot believe that it would make any difference to a booster seat??

Original poster
DSM · 05/05/2010 10:18

What real difference does a booster seat make in the event of an accident? How does being an extra 3 inches off the seat help?

Genuinely don't understand, we've never looked into car seats and such.

OP posts:
Original poster
DSM · 05/05/2010 10:20

We don't have friends with children sadly.

If they are £5 we could afford one.

OP posts:
Clary · 05/05/2010 10:20

Gosh get a booster seat. £7 is all it costs. Am amazed this is a debate. Can they not stump up if you are short?

RabbitAndCo · 05/05/2010 10:21

Try posting on Freecycle for one?

Tee2072 · 05/05/2010 10:21

It makes the seatbelt position correctly so it holds the child in in case of a crash.

Are you really willing to risk your cild's life over £10????

mollymax · 05/05/2010 10:21

By law a child needs to be in a seat until 135 cm. you can buy boosters from as little as £5 which are perfectly good to use. I have a spare one you can have if you are anywhere near suffolk.

RabbitAndCo · 05/05/2010 10:21

Where are you? I bet someone on MN would give you an old / spare one if they are near you (or your in-laws).

Clary · 05/05/2010 10:22

If he is under 145cm (likely as he is 5 - my 8yo is still under the height) then a booster seat raises him so that the adult seatbelt works properly at the right level.

They turn up regularly at car boots etc IME.

Eglu · 05/05/2010 10:22

It is about the seatbelt being in the correct position on your childs body and not crushing their internal organs.

Here is a cheap car seat

Definitely get a booster.

Clary · 05/05/2010 10:23

yes sorry 135 not 145cm.

Original poster
DSM · 05/05/2010 10:24

I wouldn't ask them to pay for it, though I am sure they would. They aren't DS grandparents.

I'm not compromising my sons safety for £10, goodness sake, up until ten minutes ago I didn't know booster seats were the right option or that they were £10. If that's the answer, then I'll get one.

Thank you.

OP posts:
Lionstar · 05/05/2010 10:25

this £7.89

this £7.89

this £6.99

No excuse really. Try freecycle for a free one.

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