You know that feeling when you stumble upon something that completely shakes your beliefs—yet in a good way? This morning, I watched a powerful video about booster seat use for older children that did just that. It was incredibly eye-opening. If you have a child aged 4 to 12 (or know someone who does), you absolutely need to see this video ASAP.
The brief but impactful video was created by Eastern Virginia Medical School and shared on their Facebook page. It follows a nearly 10-year-old boy who is heading out for a car ride with his mom. At first glance, he seems safe, buckled up in the back seat. However, everything changes when the car, cruising slowly down a quiet street, gets involved in a serious accident.
After the crash, both the mother and son appear shaken up, but it’s the boy who suffers more severe injuries, being knocked unconscious. As he’s rushed to the hospital, EMTs can be heard discussing “damage to major organs” and “injuries to neck and vital structures.” Meanwhile, his mother watches in despair, fearing for her child’s life.
As a mother of two boys, I felt a wave of emotion while watching this, thinking about how easily I could be in that situation, wondering if my own son would survive.
So, why was the boy—the only one seriously injured—wearing his seatbelt? It turns out, even though he was a big kid, he still needed a booster seat. In fact, most kids his age do. Surprising, isn’t it? Many parents mistakenly believe that if their child is in the back seat with an adult seat belt, they’re safe. But that’s simply not true.
Dr. William Foster, a safety expert featured in the video, explains that children shouldn’t transition out of their booster seats until they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall, which typically occurs between the ages of 8 and 12. However, many children at 8 or 9 still aren’t tall enough.
Dr. Foster elaborates on the frightening risks involved in not properly securing older children in booster seats. “We frequently see kids come in with internal organ damage and injuries to vital areas,” he warns. “Failing to use a booster seat exposes a child’s neck and spine to significant risks, all due to improper adult seatbelt usage.”
The truth is, accidents can happen anywhere, even at low speeds. As Dr. Emily Carter, a child safety advocate, points out, “An unrestrained child traveling at just 30 miles per hour experiences forces similar to falling from a third-story window. Children do not fit properly in adult seat belts until they reach at least 4-foot-9.”
I recently moved my almost 11-year-old out of his booster seat, thinking I was ahead of the game. In New York, kids are required to stay in boosters until 8, and I figured my son met the height requirements. But after watching this video, I’m fetching the tape measure and re-evaluating the booster seat guidelines.
For additional help, the folks at Eastern Virginia Medical School direct viewers to Car Seat Safety Now, which offers a handy “Safety Belt Fit Test” to determine if your big kid still needs a booster seat. Here are some essential points to consider:
- When your child is seated properly, their back should rest against the seat, and their feet should touch the ground while the lap belt lies low over their hips.
- The shoulder strap should cross the chest and rest securely on the shoulder, not the neck.
- Knees should bend at the seat’s edge, with feet flat on the floor.
- Most importantly, your child needs to maintain this position for the entire trip—no slouching or moving around!
Remember, all kids should remain in the back seat until at least 13 years old. And always check with your booster seat manufacturer for specific guidelines.
It can be overwhelming to digest all this information, but it’s crucial for your child’s safety. Your big kids might complain about still being in a booster seat. Trust me, I’ve been there. You may feel like an overprotective parent, but the safety of your children should always come first. So, watch the video, share it, and ensure your big kid is safely secured in a booster seat if they still need one—even if it means digging it out of the garage.
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Summary
The importance of booster seats for older children cannot be overstated. Many parents mistakenly believe their kids are safe with adult seat belts, but most children under 4 feet 9 inches still require booster seats. Properly securing your child can prevent serious injuries in accidents. It’s crucial to assess whether your child still needs a booster seat based on their height and seating position.