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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:

Original poster

DSM · 05/05/2010 10:28

please don't say 'no excuse really'.

I genuinely didn't know and will not go out again until we buy one.

OP posts:

Lionstar · 05/05/2010 10:30

Sounds good

ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 05/05/2010 10:33

Try on freecycle for a high back one, they really are much better. Or scan ebay (go by distance so you don't have to pay P & P). They put your DS up into the safest part of the car. 2nd hand won't matter for this type of seat as they don't have a harness to be damaged etc. in an accident.

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Families

mollymax · 05/05/2010 10:50

OP, please don't get cross with us, you asked our opinion and the legalaties of using a car seat and we have given it to you. I have also offered you a booster for free.

CantSupinate · 05/05/2010 14:10

Personally I don't think it's horribly unsafe, plus My impression is that if it's irregular journeys you don't have a legal requirement to have a car seat. So I wouldn't worry about the legal side.

But as it's a regularish journey probably worth while to get one.

Ask around on Freecycle or try to find one new for £5-£7. Even a firm cushion to sit on would probably be better than nothing (gets seat belt at a better place on child's body).

Original poster

DSM · 05/05/2010 20:28

Thanks everyone for your help.

Mollymax - I'm not cross, was just asking that people not suggest I would risk the safety of my son for £10. Obviously I wouldn't, but I honestly didn't know the safety or legal implications, and for such a short journey so infrequently.

Thanks for your offer as well, sadly I am in Scotland so no use, but much appreciated.

OP posts:

queenclarion · 05/05/2010 20:41

If you are interested, I believe the primary purpose of a booster cushion only is to position the adult seatbelt over the child's pelvis rather than over their abdomen where is would be if they sat just on the adult seat. The seat belt going into the abdomen in an accident would cause lots of internal injuries whereas the pelvis has the bones either side so is better placed for impact.

BibiThree · 07/05/2010 11:54

If I had one I'd post it to you, maybe ask here in the wanted section - someone may be happy for you to take one off their hands for the price of p&p?

Try charity shops or freecycle as others have suggested, or ebay. It's all about the belt positioning and safety on impact so he will need one.

StormyWeather · 16/07/2010 15:31

Amazed to hear that the GPs don't have this already for their grandchild. I keep two booster seats and a proper baby seat in the boot for mine.

Hai1988 · 18/07/2010 16:56

OP did mention that her DP's parents are not her DS's grandparents.

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