Warning to Parents: Booster Seats & the LATCH System

Warning to Parents: Booster Seats & the LATCH System

I was recently hired to write many articles on child safety. While researching I found out that I did not have my 2 ? year old properly restrained in his car set. First, I found out that he was too tall to remain in the 5-point harness and he had met the weight limit on the 5-point harness. He needed to be moved to a booster seat. I bought an Eddie Bauer Convertible Seat that is supposed to grow with the child, and it has.

Here is the warning!

I had my child's car seat LATCHed in and when I adjusted the seat to make it a booster I left the LATCH on. I assumed it would keep my child safer, but this assumption was completely wrong! If your child is in a convertible child seat and you begin to use it as a booster seat YOU MUST REMOVE THE LATCH SYSTEM! If you have to slam on your breaks, or God Forbid get in a car accident, your child's booster seat is suppose to move forward with your child. As your child and the booster move forward the seat belt system will react much quicker and when your child is pulled back, with their booster, the booster seat will take the brunt of the impact. Now, if you leave your LATCH on, with the same above situation, your child will fly forward and their seat will not. It takes much longer for the seat belt system to realize that it is suppose tighten up- if it does at all.

What Car Seat Companies Said

I called 4 popular companies that produce child booster seats and they all said it is dangerous for parents to leave the LATCH system on and all of their manuals specify that you should not leave it on. I researched the Internet and several times found, The LATCH does not need to be used with the booster seat. Well, does not have to be and completely dangerous are two different stories.

My Research

I thought I would research a bit further and I called several home daycare providers in my area. These providers often transport children and the laws for these providers are pretty specific. However, not one knew about the danger of LATCH systems with booster seats. In fact, two different providers said they had to put on their breaks and a child in their care flew forward in their booster seat. One woman said the seat belt clicked in really late and the other said one of her kids flew out, his feet landed on the floor of the car, and then the seat belt system clicked in. She had to pull over and help him out of the seat belt before she could put him back in the seat. Now you may be thinking that their cars were old, but they are required by law to have newer vehicles and if they buy another car it must be a brand new-never driven vehicle. The women that had these 2 kids slide forward had newer cars; one had a 2004 minivan and another had a 2005 minivan.

PLEASE refer to your child's car seat manual for proper instructions! If you do not have the manual call the manufacturers number, which should be located on your child's car seat. If you are uncomfortable with your child's seat not using the LATCH system, there are car seats that have higher weight and height limits for the 5-point harness. Normally, if your child hits 40 pounds or their shoulders go above the highest strap slot they need to be moved into a booster. Some special seats let your child weigh up to 65 pounds before they must be removed from the 5-point harness. No matter what seat you choose, please remove the LATCH system when you child moves into a booster seat.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)(http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/) has valuable information on car seat safety.


About the Author

Melissa Fach owns http://PanacaWriting.com which offers writing and SEO services. She also owns http://SRQWebDesign.com which offers affordable websites and http://Sarasotaprintshop.com offers graphic design and printing services.

Eddie Bauer Gridlock Charcoal Stroller

When choosing a baby stroller it can be very challenging to you as a parent having to face, as your child grow from an infant to a toddler. Being a first time parent, I encountered what I called the baby stroller challenge. I tested and tried out a few different name brand strollers and found that the Eddie Bauer Gridlock Charcoal Stroller is the one I was looking for.

The features on the Eddie Bauer Stroller impressed me. The stroller is easy to assemble and has a solid lightweight aluminum frame. It has multiple reclining positions that allow you to adjust the angle of the seat just like in a car. The stroller can be lock at the rear wheels, by pushing down on the red tab with your foot or hand to insure no movement and easily pull up to release the brakes. It stands on its own when folded and locks and is unable to open unless you presses the red lever located on the handle bar. When opening the stroller it snaps into place so the stroller would not fold up and harm your child.

Another feature it has is the weight capacity max up to 40 pounds and safety 5-point harness to keep your baby secure, and you can easily adjust the seat to one of several angles, including laying flat, for your baby's comfort. An oversized storage basket beneath the seat provides plenty of room for toys, clothes, and snacks, and the stroller comes with removable trays and cup holders that can be positioned in front of your baby or across the steering handles for you, mom or dad.

I bought the Eddie Bauer Stroller in 2006 because of all the safety features it as. The number one thing my son thought me, is safety and that comes first.

About The Author: Kevern Cornelius Sr. has been involved with reviewing baby products for two years. Since then I?ve been helping people find and review the best baby products, to meet their needs. Visit http://www.1stbabysupplies.com to learn more about our reviews and services.

Baby Travel Systems

Baby travel systems

Baby travel systems are the best value for your money. These systems are really wonderful. They come with many different features but all include a car seat and stroller. The car seat normally attaches to a base that stays in the car. The car seat also attaches to the stroller. The car seats are easy to attach with a one hand latch that most systems today.

There are many brand names out there that offer quality and durability in the baby travel systems line. Some of the names you will hear are Cosco, Eddie Bauer, Graco, Evenflo, among many others.

Coscos baby travel systems have wonderful features that include a car seat which is also the infant carrier and the stroller. The stroller is equipped with an infinite position reclining seat, a three point harness system, front wheel suspension, front reflectors, a large basket under the seat, a snack tray for your baby, and a parent tray on the handle. The car seat features include a washable and removable padded fabric pad, and a 5 point harness safety belt. This stroller is easy to fold up and put away with a one hand motion.

Eddie Bauer baby travel systems are lightweight and easy to maneuver. Other wonderful features include a multi-position reclining seat, child and parent snack tray, and the 5 point harness system. Eddie Bauer has more than one style you can choose from all with different features that you are sure to love.

Graco baby travel systems are designed for infants up to age 3. This system has great suspension to give your baby a smooth ride, a childs tray, a parent tray with a temperature gauge and clock included, and other unique features. The AutoBaby car seat locks simply onto the stroller and the SafetyBase very easily with just one hand. This system is convenient and economical.

An Evenflo baby travel system has many different designs to choose from, all with some great features that you should check out. The large canopy will protect you little one from all types of weather and this system can be pushed using one hand.

As you shop for you baby travel systems check out all the new features and options available today. You will enjoy having a travel system that will save you time and money.

Baby travel systems are the best value for your money. These systems are really wonderful. They come with many different features but all include a car seat and stroller. The car seat normally attaches to a base that stays in the car. The car seat also attaches to the stroller. The car seats are easy to attach with a one hand latch that most systems today.

There are many brand names out there that offer quality and durability in the baby travel systems line. Some of the names you will hear are Cosco, Eddie Bauer, Graco, Evenflo, among many others.

Coscos baby travel systems have wonderful features that include a car seat which is also the infant carrier and the stroller. The stroller is equipped with an infinite position reclining seat, a three point harness system, front wheel suspension, front reflectors, a large basket under the seat, a snack tray for your baby, and a parent tray on the handle. The car seat features include a washable and removable padded fabric pad, and a 5 point harness safety belt. This stroller is easy to fold up and put away with a one hand motion.

Eddie Bauer baby travel systems are lightweight and easy to maneuver. Other wonderful features include a multi-position reclining seat, child and parent snack tray, and the 5 point harness system. Eddie Bauer has more than one style you can choose from all with different features that you are sure to love.

Graco baby travel systems are designed for infants up to age 3. This system has great suspension to give your baby a smooth ride, a childs tray, a parent tray with a temperature gauge and clock included, and other unique features. The AutoBaby car seat locks simply onto the stroller and the SafetyBase very easily with just one hand. This system is convenient and economical.

An Evenflo baby travel system has many different designs to choose from, all with some great features that you should check out. The large canopy will protect you little one from all types of weather and this system can be pushed using one hand.

As you shop for you baby travel systems check out all the new features and options available today. You will enjoy having a travel system that will save you time and money.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Serenity is an author at Baby Strollers Guide
Serenity, a mother herself, has years of experience with baby products