A good link to why older kids need boosters?

[smilequeen]

I am going nuts on a different site where they are hashing out car seat laws. Moms are complaining about being told that their older kids need car seats. It doesn't seem that they understand WHY these laws are in effect and just what it takes to protect your child... So any good sites on why say a 7 year old still belongs in a booster that I can use to prove my point?

[murphydog77]

This site has a very good computer-generated graphic that shows what happens with a booster seat and without (where the child tucks the shoulder belt behind his back because it cuts across his throat, for example): http://www.chop.edu/traumalink/download/restraint_chart.pdf . Can't beat a graphic from a leading children's hospital!

Here's another one that shows the damage that can be done by an improperly placed belt: http://www.chop.edu/traumalink/download/lap_belt_image.pdf

http://www.boostamerica.org/getboost.htm
http://www.dustinsdinosaurs.com/
http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/BoosterPlayer.htm ("Boosters Are For Big Kids")
http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

Those are just a few I found quickly. Another idea is to remind them that the law of physics is much more important in a crash than the state law. You can't repair a spinal cord. Or that the law says that a teenager can drop out of school at age 15 (or whatever), yet we know that it's in their best interest for them to stay in school and graduate. Why settle for less than the safest when it comes to our children?

Heather, CPS Tech
http://www.carseatsite.com

[Joolsplus2]

Here's a Dateline news story that's fairly compelling http://www.msnbc.com/news/498507.asp?cp1=1
And here's another cbs news special...my link isn't currently working, or is slow, but it looks like it might work for other people, lol (i'll check back later and make sure it is, though...)
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/04/26/eveningnews/main507399.shtml

[smilequeen]

Thanks so much for everything, I'll be sure to show them the info :) I have to say that coming here has certainly opened my eyes...I hope I can open a few more.

[gravymommy3]

The Dateline story is wonderful except for one thing. It mentions 1 year and 20 lbs. as the threshhold for turning a child forward facing. That is outdated. Keep the child rearfacing up to the weight limit of the carseat. Longer is better.

[MartiesMom2B]

These are great links. My cousin used to work for Jack Gillis who is an author for consumers regarding cars. He would tell me about cases that he has had to read regarding children safety in cars. Especially around the time that people were saying that airbags were unsafe, because of kids. He said that he saw cases where people had their kids on their laps and the airbag went off and the child was beheaded. I believe that is good enough reason to keep your child in the back and in a booster seat.

Sonia
Proud Mommy to Martie 4/6/03