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  • Writer's pictureRebecca Maher

When can my child stop using a child restraint?

Updated: Jul 26


It will vary between different children and even different cars.


When can your child move to using Lap-sash Adult Seatbelts?

Adult Car Seat Installation

Lap-sash adult seatbelts are designed for people who are at least 145 cm tall. Most 7 year olds are too small for lap-sash adult seatbelts, and many children don’t reach this height until they are 10-12 years old.


Children can start using a lap-sash adult seatbelt only when they are 145 cm tall and can pass the 5-step test.


To pass the 5-step test your child must be able to do all of the following:


  1. Sit with their back firmly against the seat back.

  2. Bend their knees comfortably over the front of the seat cushion.

  3. Sit with the sash belt across their mid-shoulder, not across their face or neck.

  4. Sit with the lap belt across the top of their thighs, not across their abdomen.

  5. Stay in this position for the whole car trip.


A lap-sash adult seatbelt might fit your child correctly only in certain vehicles or only in certain vehicle seats. For example, the seatbelt might fit your child better when they’re sitting in the middle vehicle seat rather than the outer seat.


If your child does not pass the 5 step test, we recommend to keep them in a booster seat.


Booster Seats:

Booster Child Car Seat Installation

o   Does not have an inbuilt harness.

o   Restrains children facing the front of the vehicle.

o   Has a backrest, raises the child, and adapts the vehicle’s seatbelt to better fit the child.

o   Can be either a Convertible Forward/Booster Seat or a Booster Seat.


When installing child booster seats, it is important to keep in mind that:


  • Convertible Forward/Booster Seats can be used in their Booster mode for children from approximately 4 years old (providing their shoulders meet the height marker on their seat to convert to booster mode) until approximately 8 years old, or when their shoulders reach the top height marker on their seat.


  • Booster Seats can be used from 4 years old (providing their shoulders meet the minimum height marker on the seat) until approximately 8 years old, or when their shoulders reach the top height marker on their seat.



Here at BabyClean&Safe, our team of accredited professionals in installing baby and child car seats will help bring you peace of mind of ensuring travel safety.

 

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