When YouTube Can Save a Life: The Importance of a 5-Point Harness Carseat
April 19, 2007 by
Like many people, I enjoy browsing through YouTube from time to time - mainly for especially hilarious clips. (One of my other articles has a link to one of my favorite laugh-out-loud YouTube videos). However, if I could only share one
YouTube video with the world, it would be this one: Importance of a 5-Point Harness Carseat. It is perhaps the most touching video I have ever seen online; it tells the tale of a beautiful 3 year old boy who was killed when his booster seat failed, causing him to be thrown from the vehicle he was riding in. He died on impact.
I first watched this video when we were preparing to move my son into a booster seat. We had a new baby on the way, and to free up space in the car it made sense to move him from his 5-point harness carseat into a space-saving booster seat. He was the recommended height and weight for a booster seat, and we had been researching what kind of booster seat to get. In our Internet research, I came across this video.
I made my husband watch it as well. Kyle David Miller, the little boy in the video, was so like my own child... from his nickname, to his Buzz Lightyear doll... to his adoring sister. In his accident, he and his sister were in identical booster seats; the seatbelt holding his in place came unlatched. His sister's seatbelt stayed in place. Apparently, seatbelt failure is not an uncommon problem. In this case, the results were devastatingly tragic. We made a decision then and there that we would not be moving any of our children into booster seats until they reached 80 lbs.
In addition to the emotional impact of this video, it answers a very important question for parents - just what kind of carseat works for for children over 40 lbs? The Britax Regent is mentioned in the video, and in supplemental information, they state that the Radian80 made by Sunshine Kids are also available. Each of these has a 5-point harness that tethers to your car. Neither relies solely on the success of a seatbelt.
I first watched this video when we were preparing to move my son into a booster seat. We had a new baby on the way, and to free up space in the car it made sense to move him from his 5-point harness carseat into a space-saving booster seat. He was the recommended height and weight for a booster seat, and we had been researching what kind of booster seat to get. In our Internet research, I came across this video.
I made my husband watch it as well. Kyle David Miller, the little boy in the video, was so like my own child... from his nickname, to his Buzz Lightyear doll... to his adoring sister. In his accident, he and his sister were in identical booster seats; the seatbelt holding his in place came unlatched. His sister's seatbelt stayed in place. Apparently, seatbelt failure is not an uncommon problem. In this case, the results were devastatingly tragic. We made a decision then and there that we would not be moving any of our children into booster seats until they reached 80 lbs.
In addition to the emotional impact of this video, it answers a very important question for parents - just what kind of carseat works for for children over 40 lbs? The Britax Regent is mentioned in the video, and in supplemental information, they state that the Radian80 made by Sunshine Kids are also available. Each of these has a 5-point harness that tethers to your car. Neither relies solely on the success of a seatbelt.
Kyle David Miller's life was cut short following a tragic car accident that could have been prevented if he would have been in a five point harness booster seat. His family is now dedicated to promoting awareness and providing families in need with car seats.
By Melissa W | Published 2/8/2007 | Read more »
Many car seats are installed incorrectly or the wrong seat is used. It's important that the car seat fit your child and vehicle. Infants and toddlers should remain rear-facing for as long as possible and older children should stay in a harnessed seat.
By Katherine M. | Published 11/28/2006 | Read more »
The NHTSA states that 80% of seats are installed and/or used improperly. This is a result of choosing the wrong car seat for your family in most cases. Help with choosing the best car seat and proper use are the focus.
By Cat Wofford | Published 12/26/2007 | Read more »
A mom's review of convertible car seats led her to the Cosco Scerea-Touriva 5-Point Covertible Car Seat. Here's why.
By Marsha Raasch | Published 8/4/2006 | Read more »
Britax Child Safety, Inc. has issued a safety recall for it's Decathlon Child Restraint Seat/ Carseat. This recall includes seats that were manufactured between February 12, 2005 through July 31, 2007. There is an issue with the harness adjuster strap.
By Lyn Lomasi | Published 8/22/2007 | Read more »
The Britax Roundabout is one of the safest convertible car seats on the market.
By Allison Goines | Published 7/10/2006 | Read more »
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Posted on 08/08/2008 at 1:08:05 AM