Important video about booster seats/5 point harness safety

[beautifulgirls]

Please take a moment to watch this video - it contains an important message about the use of booster seats with the normal car seat belts vs 5 point harnesses for as long as possible for a child.
WARNING - THIS VIDEO IS VERY SAD - though not gorey. It is about the death of a young boy in a car accident.
If as I do, you believe this message is important to share with others then please email your friends who have children and let them know about it too.

Have just watched the video and am still crying

That poor family. I never thought that seat belts might not work.

I'm looking at having to buy a new seat for DS2, I'll definately be looking for one that keeps him in 5 point harness for as long as possible.

Thanx beautifulgirls

Just bumping this up again. Please copy and paste the web address and watch it.

Have done a link to make it easier
click on this link

That is so sad. My ds is in a booster with a normal seat belt. We can't afford to replace it. Its new. Thats really worried me.
Surely its safer than no booster atall. Its the Graco one that was the best rated on mumsnet and he never takes the seat belt off his shoulder.

So, so sad watching that. The poor family.

My thoughts, though, are that, 1) A 5 point car seat is still only held in by the normal seat belt unless you have a new car with isofix points, so if the seatbelt fails... and 2) MOTs check that the seatbelts work, so, in this country, a seatbelt SHOULD NEVER fail.

princess, we also have the Graco one for ds1.

I can't watch this at the momnet as am feeling anxious generally.

I have a 7yr old and (heavy) 4yr old both in booster seats using seat belts - id this really not okay?

Not sure what this sad story proves though since the majority of 5 point harness seats available in UK are anchored by an adult belt which presumably would have simiarly failed in this case.

ROSPA recommend a 5 point harness until 18kg (40lbs) weight(although the Britax Elite can take heavier) and a booster with back until 22kg, thereafter one with just a base is "ok". btw the cheaper Graco with back (£40ish) did really poorly in the Which ? 2005 report but has since been upgraded to the £70ish one, as yet untested by Which ?

I think the point is that in the unlikely event of the adult seat belt buckle failing the child would still have some protection from the seat itself and it would probably not fly free from the car since the majority of seats I know have the diagonal bit of the belt hook in as well as the tummy part. Therefore if the buckle failed the diagonal strap would still provide a limited support when it locked. I agree that MOT tests do check these belts and no it should not happen, but it did to this poor family and perhaps it could have been prevented.

okay on the strength of this am going to get both of mine booster seats with backs - currently just on cushion ones.

Any recommendations? Can't find how to work which page.

Maxi Cosi Rodi, Britax Hi Liner and Concord Lift came out well in recent reports.

Having thought about it, i think these people were very unlucky due to a seatbelt failure, rather than the type of seat. Dimpledthighs i have a preference for Britax. Look at their fitfinder as the seat must suit your vehicle as well as the child.

DS1 has a britax hi liner. DS2 and DD will stay in their 5 point harness seats until they outgrow them.

Oh and dd (5 but just under 15kgs ) has the Britax Evolva 123 ultra with harness but converts to booster seat with back at 18kg ish.

thank you very much everyone - halfords has a sale on too so am off there tomorrow.

check their prices tho DT - they have been known to double the price of car seats then sell them at 'half-price' which will be the same price as everyone else. Also their online prices differ from those in-store.