Car Seat Britax Boulevard
How Long Should your Child Stay in a 5-point Harness Car Seat?
By now, nearly every parent with an internet connection has heard of the sad video that came out on YouTube.com in November 2006, urging all parents of toddlers to keep their kids in a car seat with a 5-point harness as opposed to graduating them to booster seat attached with a regular seat belt.
The video was an emotional succession of photos with interspersed screens of text and music playing throughout. For those who missed it, message contained in the video started with:
I'd like you to meet my son Kyle.
Kyle was 3 years old when he was killed because an incompetent driver ran a red light and hit our mini-van at an intersection on May 29th 2005.
Kyle was in a booster seat, wearing his seatbelt when we were hit.
We thought he was protected...
Seatbelts are supposed to work… 100% of the time... right?
Well they don't.
Seatbelts frequently fail by either unlatching or not tightening upon impact. Kyle's seatbelt was buckled but came unlatched upon impact.
His big sister was sitting right next to him in an identical booster, but her seatbelt worked and she walked away.
The only difference was that her seat belt worked and his didn't...
Seatbelts are wonderful things, when they work...
There is something that could have prevented Kyle's death though...
The full transcript is too long to fit in this article. You can find the rest of the transcript including the reference to the Britax Regent car seat here. The short of it is that according to Kyle's mother, the Britax Regent car seat could have saved the child's life.
This heart wrenching video brings up an important issue: Should parents follow the advice in the video and if so, is the Britax Regent the only car seat on the market that will hold children up to 80lbs?
On one hand, it is undeniable that a child properly harnessed by a 5-point harness in a properly installed and tethered car seat will be more protected than a child properly buckled-up in a booster seat. But of course, even the Britax Regent isn't guaranteed to keep your child safe in the event of an accident. It obviously depends on the conditions of the accident.
On the other hand, does that mean that we should start putting teenagers and even adults in car seats? Of course not. So the decision is basically similar for a young child who is old enough to be in a booster seat: It's a matter of comfort and convenience versus maximum safety. What makes the Regent a compelling solution is precisely that it is designed to be comfortable and convenient for an older child.
If you are leaning toward moving your child into a Britax Regent, be aware that it's been in high demand since the video came out and it's often back ordered. Fortunately, there is one other car seat that will accommodate children up to 80lbs: the Radian 80 made by Sunshine Kids.
Unfortunately attempting to purchase either car seat models often feels like chasing a prized newly released game console: we recommend you at least place an order with a reputable online retailer so you can keep a place in the line. They typically serve their customers on a first come first serve basis.
So a question remains: what should you do to keep your little ones safe while you wait for your Britax Regent or Sunshine Kids Radian 80 to arrive?
If you still have your old convertible car seat handy, you might want to dust it off and put it back in service as it might still be a viable option for the months to come or until your child reaches the weight limit: Some high-quality convertible car seats such as the Britax Marathon, Decathlon and Boulevard car seats will hold children up to 65lbs, which is the usual weight of 6 to 8 year old child anyway (but may obviously not be quite as comfortable as the Regent at that age).
If your child has clearly outgrown his convertible car seat and you're using a booster seat today, make sure you have a good booster seat and that you're taking all the precautions possible with it.
About the Author
Dan Slomka is a car seat and baby gear expert who writes for Tinyride.com, who is proud to offer the Britax Regent car seat for sale.
 |
 Britax Boulevard 70 Car Seat Cover Set Riviera  US $63.99
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 Car Seat Cover Set Waverly US $59.99
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 Car Seat Cover Set Cowmooflage US $55.99
|
 Britax Boulevard Convertible Car Seat Floral Yellow Red IL PICK UP ONLY US $150.00
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 Convertible Car Seat Current Version Onyx NH US $150.27
|
 BRITAX BOULEVARD 70 CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT CAVALIER US $213.50
|
 BRITAX BOULEVARD 70 CS CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT ONYX US $202.50
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 Convertible Baby Car Seat Zebra US $104.01
|
 Infant Car Seat Britax Boulevard True Side Impact Car Seat US $100.00
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 Car Seat Cover Set Wyndham US $80.00
|
 Britax 2012 Boulevard 70 Car Seat in Aztec New US $228.00
|
 BRITAX BOULEVARD CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT Onyx US $200.00
|
 BRAND NEW Britax Boulevard 70 CS Convertible Car Seat with SafeCells Sophia US $263.32
|
 Britax 2012 Boulevard CS 70 Car Seat in Biscotti New US $239.00
|
 Zebra car seat cover headrest 2fit Britax boulevard US $110.00
|
 New 2012 Britax Boulevard 70 Car Seat Onyx New in Box US $26.00
|
 Britax 2012 Boulevard 70 Car Seat in Zebra New US $259.00
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 CS Biscotti Convertible Car Seat New Authorized Dealer NIB US $249.99
|
 NEW SEALED Britax Boulevard 70 CS Convertible Car Seat with SafeCell Sophia US $263.33
|
 Britax 2011 Boulevard 70 Car Seat in Sterling New US $259.00
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 Convertible Car Seat Cavalier US $255.99
|
 Britax 2012 Boulevard 70 Car Seat in Silver Birch New US $259.00
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 Convertible Car Seat Onyx US $255.99
|
 Britax 2012 Boulevard 70 Car Seat in Cowmooflage Brand New US $259.00
|
 NEW Britax Boulevard 70 CS Convertible Car Seat with SafeCells Biscotti US $294.99
|
 BRAND NEW Britax Boulevard 70 CS Convertible Car Seat with SafeCells Biscotti US $294.99
|
 Britax 2011 Boulevard 70 Car Seat in Onyx Brand New US $259.00
|
 BRITAX BOULEVARD CS CONVERTIBLE BABY CAR SEAT 2009 US $99.99
|
 BRAND NEW Britax Boulevard 70 CS Convertible Car Seat with SafeCell Blueprint US $272.20
|
 NEW Britax Boulevard 70 CS Convertible Car Seat with SafeCell Blueprint US $272.24
|
 NEW Britax Boulevard 70 CS Convertible Car Seat with SafeCell Technology Onyx US $366.30
|
 Britax Boulevard 70CS Convertible Child Car Seat Blueprint US $261.92
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 CS Convertible Car Seat STERLING E9BB53A BRAND NEW US $298.96
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 Convertible Car Seat ZEBRA E9LB53P BRAND NEW US $268.96
|
 NEW Britax Boulevard 70 Convertible Car Seat with SafeCells Silver Birch US $257.39
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 CS Convertible Car Seat E9BB72Z Baby Safety Travel Gear NEW US $285.47
|
 NEW SEALED Britax Boulevard 70 Convertible Car Seat with SafeCells Zebra US $251.99
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 Convertible Car Seat Zebra E9LB53P Baby Safety Travel Gear US $269.97
|
 Britax Boulevard 70 CS Convertible Car Seat PINK SOPHIA E9LB72Z BRAND NEW US $278.96
|
 RUFFLED Car Seat Headrest Cover Britax BOULEVARD US $82.00
|
|
|
Britax Boulevard Car Seat Cover $80.00 Britax Boulevard Car Seat Cover Set Is your Britax Boulevard looking a little tired? A quick and affordable way to give your Boulevard a fresh look is by purchasing a new Replacement Cover. Note: These Replacement Covers do NOT come with shoulder harness straps or belly pad.... |
|
|
Britax Child Cup Holder $9.99 Great accessory for select Britax Convertible Car Seats which fits various sized containers. Fits multiple sized containers including sippy cups, water bottles, juice boxes and drink pouches Can be used on the left or right side or attached to both sides of the seat Dishwasher safe (top rack only) Exclusively for use on select BRITAX Convertible Car Seats including: ROUNDABOUT 55, MARATHON 70,... |
|
|
JL Childress Ultimate Car Seat Travel Bag, Black $30.25 Carrying convenience, comfort, and choices. The Ultimate Car Seat Travel Bag from J.L. Childress allows families to protect their child's car seat when traveling. The Ultimate features thick padding on all sides, padded interior wings and a custom fit to ensure protection of your car seats' safety features. Convenient carry handle and padded backpack straps offer comfortable carrying choices for l... |
|
|
J.L. Childress Ultimate Car Seat Travel Bag Fully-padded car seat travel bag with backpack straps protects your car seat's safety features and allows for hands-free travel.... |
|
|
J.L. Childress Wheelie Car Seat Travel Bag Car seat travel bag with wheels protects your car seat from scratches, dirt and germs.... |
