I sent this information to a parent who had booster questions and thought I'd post here as well. Informative video clips included.

Keeping Kids Safe During Crashes

GM and Safe Kids Urge Greater Use Of Booster Seats

The Basics of Booster Seats

I have another good link but decided not to post it because it contains a graphic image depicting an injury known as "Seat Belt Syndrome" that may not be suitable for children. E-mail me at cpstmom @ gmail.com if you'd like me to send you the link.

Shield Boosters Are No Longer Recommended.

By Reds9298 on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 06:29 pm:

What about shield carseats? (20-40lbs.) This may be posted somewhere but missed it. Thanks so much for all of this information! We have one shield carseat that isn't used very often.

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 06:45 pm:

Deanna, a 5pt. harnessed seat is the safest choice. More info:
Five-Point Harness or Shield - Choosing a safer seat

By Reds9298 on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 07:47 pm:

Thank you - An evenflo tribute was given to us as a gift during pregnancy (we didn't ask for it)and (being uneducated) we kept it for our second car which is an extended cab pick-up truck and rarely used with dd (9mths). Do you feel we should we get another one? After reading the website I'm thinking maybe we should.

You are such a big help. Thank you soooo much!

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 10:02 pm:

You're welcome. Should you replace the shield seat? That's your call. It's not an unsafe seat, it's just that a 5 pt. harness is safER. If you rarely take the truck you may not want to spend the $ for another seat. What seat does she ride in mainly? An option would be to transition that seat to the truck for the few times you use it to travel with DD. Or you could get a basic, economy seat for the truck, like the Cosco Touriva, for about $50. Not one of my favorites but will serve the purpose well as a secondary/back up car seat.

By Trina~moderator on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 12:36 pm:

A great USA Today article:

Laws put older kids in booster seats

By Kate on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 04:01 pm:

I'm so disappointed that NY only has the law in effect up through age six. Age is irrelevant...why is it not height and weight that must meet certain requirements? The seven states plus DC that have it in effect through age eight at least catch more kids, and major kudos to the state that goes up to age nine.

Trina, do you know WHY they go to so much trouble to finally pass a law like this, and then go and make it so half hearted?? Do you know why age is the big criteria?? Don't they consult with experts??

Thanks for all your info!

By Trina~moderator on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 05:14 pm:

They do consult with experts but when you get right down to it, it's all politics and hoops required to jump through to get a bill passed. Many times a bill will start out one way but will get changed through the process (less strict, for example) in order to get it signed and into law. A baby step but a victory in the right direction. My own state (CT) has been trying to pass booster bills for a few years but has yet to be successful.

Look at the differences in state child restraint laws. Further proof that it's all political! I tell parents to follow current child passenger safety recommendations because it's not about laws, it's about lives.

Child Restraint Laws

More info about Child Restraint Laws at SafeKids.org

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, April 9, 2005 - 08:39 pm:

A comprehensive report on booster seat research (pdf file):

THE FORGOTTEN CHILD - Children Who Move To Seat Belts Too Soon