Under New Zealand law, child safety seats are mandatory. The designs of booster seats in NZ follow stringent manufacturing and installation standards. Parents looking for booster seats should understand how selecting the right one will protect their child from car-related accidents.
This article explains the safety benefits of using a car booster seat and when to use it. It will also list car restraints to choose from, depending on your kid’s needs.
Let’s start with the definition of a booster seat and how it differs from the regular car seat.
What is a booster seat?
A booster seat is a forward-facing child restraint system installed in the back seat of a car. These restraints are engineered and manufactured to protect kids from injury or fatality resulting from vehicular accidents. It also provides a more comfortable place for your kids in a vehicle designed for adult passengers.
Boosters for kids are different from regular car seats. Aside from raising your child higher, it provides a belt-positioning advantage to secure them while remaining tight and comfortable. This feature allows small children to properly use the car’s lap and shoulder seat belt and fasten it across them.
When should kids use a child restraint system?
Your child can start using a booster seat at around ages five to nine. These are usually the ages when they finally outgrow their baby car seat’s height and weight limits. Kids should keep using the restraint system until around 12 or when they grow to a minimum height of 4’9.
The clearest indicator that they’ve grown out of the booster is when they finally fit the seat belt without the extra height that the child seat provides.
What are the different booster seats for sale in NZ?
There are different child booster seats for sale in NZ. You can choose from high-backed and backless booster seats.
Here are the key differences between the booster seats from your Auckland baby shop.
High-Backed Booster Seats
A high-backed child seat features a snug backrest and a curved headrest. The headrest protects your child from head and neck injuries in the event of a vehicle collision. It is lightweight and adjustable, allowing you to raise it to a comfortable height.
In a high-backed booster, there are belt-positioning loops at the base of the headrest. These positioners guide the shoulder belt across the user’s chest.
Backless Boosters
A backless booster may be an independent cushion or can have a removable backrest. It sits beneath the user to raise them, allowing them to pull and properly fasten the seatbelt.
If you bought a convertible backless booster, you should only remove the booster if the user’s shoulders are higher than the belt positioners. Remember that high-backed seats are still safer and the more secure option.
Convertible Baby Seats
Aside from high-backed and backless restrain systems, you can also buy a convertible child seat. A convertible can start as a baby car seat and change into a booster when necessary.
Models like this have removable infant inserts. These inserts convert the five-point harness system into a restraint with available lap and chest belt harness slots.
Whatever model and design you choose, make sure you buy booster seats from trusted NZ manufacturers.
Quality cushions and high-backed seats ensure your child can stay comfortable, safe, and secure during short and long car rides. Now go and enjoy the drive!