As of September 1, 2009, Texas has adopted changes to child safety restraints.
Click here for the full table on Texas child restraint requirements. Also included are pdf documents detailing proper fit of a seat to a child.
A child must now be in a booster seat until age 8, unless that child has reached the height of 4'9". These requirements ensure that a standard lap belt fits properly across the body of a child. Without a booster or safety seat, a shoulder belt could rest too close to the child's face or neck to be safe and effective.
Backless boosters are effective and acceptable to meet the new state requirements, and they are also fairly inexpensive. Graco's Backless TurboBoosters are about $25, and can be easily moved from vehicle-to-vehicle for multi-car households or visits with the grandparents. Backless TurboBoosters are usually intended for children over 40 pounds and at least 4-year-old.
Highback TurboBoosters are the safest option because of additional protective padding surrounding Kiddo's head and body. A five-point harness is the safest restraint for a child in a vehicle, so the longer you can manage to use one, the better. The Graco Nautilus has a heftier price tag than the backless boosters, but the Nautilus boasts harness usage up to 65 pounds (as opposed to the usual 30-40 pounds other models offer for a five-point harness).
Check for seat inspectors in your area to insure proper carseat installation. Be sure to read manufacturer's specifications and weight restrictions before purchasing a seat. Some BabiesRUs locations also provide a bench display to experiment with display seats.
See also amendments to:
National Child Passenger Safety Week is 9/12 - 9/18.
National Seat Check Saturday is September 12, 2009.
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