What Age Do Kids Need a Booster Seat?

Our kids' safety is our utmost priority, especially in car travel. Booster seats are there to ensure that your children are comfortably and safely placed during journeys. A booster seat acts as a bridge between the child car seat and regular seat belts and provides increased safety for kids when they outgrow their forward-facing seats.

But from what age does a kid really need a booster seat? Here's a comprehensive guide into the important details regarding booster seats and what the law says about their usage.

Booster Seat Basics

Booster seats can lift kids up so the vehicle seat belt fits them better. If used without a booster, the seat belt may fall across a child's neck or abdomen, placing them at increased risk for injury in a crash. Booster seats are needed to position the lap belt across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt across the chest.

The two common types of these seats include a high back booster that provides additional support to the head and neck, and the backless booster suitable for an older child within the specified height and weight limits.

Legal Requirements in the U.K. and Europe

Booster seats in the UK and across Europe fall under strict legal requirements that ensure that the children are safe.

According to the Child Car Seat law in the UK, children in cars, vans and other goods vehicles must use the appropriate car seat or booster seat until they reach either their 12th birthday or 135cm in height (whichever is first).

Meanwhile, most of the European countries extend this to 150 cm. Booster seat is to the ECE R44/04 or R129 (i-Size) standard.

What Age and Size Does a Kid Need a Booster Seat?

Transitioning to a booster seat usually happens between the ages of 4 and 12 years depending on a child's size and development. While age may provide a general guideline, it will be more about height and weight.

Height: A child should use a booster seat until they are at least 135 cm tall. To be on the safer side, some parents would rather wait until their child reaches 150 cm in height before switching over to regular seat belts.

Weight: The minimum weight a child can use in a booster seat is generally 15 kg, though in most high-back booster seats, a child can weigh up to 36 kg.

Booster Seat Types

When choosing a booster seat, you should consider your child's age, height, and weight, along with the design of your vehicle. Knowing the types of booster seats will help you make a better decision.

High-Back Booster Seats

• Provide head, neck, and side-impact protection.
• Ideal for younger children transitioning from a forward-facing seat.
• Perfect for vehicles without high seat backs or headrests.

Backless Booster Seats

• For older, taller children who no longer require head or neck support.
• Compact and portable, convenient for travel or carpooling.
• Rely on the vehicle’s seat back to provide good head support.

How to Ensure Proper Usage & Avoid Common Mistakes

Installing a booster seat correctly is just as important as selecting the correct one. The following tips will help ensure optimum safety:

Position the Seat Belt Properly

• The lap belt must be across the child's upper thighs and never across the stomach.
• The shoulder belt should sit across the chest and never across the neck or face.

Check the Fit: As your child grows, check that the booster seat continues to provide a proper fit.

Avoid Transitioning Too Early: Don't move to a booster seat until your child reaches the minimum height and weight.

Anchor the Booster Seat: Most high-back boosters may be installed using ISOFIX anchors, which can prevent movement when not occupied.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not using the shoulder belt guide.
• Allowing the child to slouch and misalign the seat belt.
• Using a booster seat that doesn't meet the safety standards.

Final Thoughts

Booster seats represent an important phase in protecting your child while driving in a car. Following the legal requirements, choosing the right kind, and correctly using the seat will grant your child the highest level of protection possible. Always make sure that in everything, safety is considered over convenience, and regularly take into consideration your child's needs as he or she grows.

Jovikids Booster Seats for Your Little One

Choosing a Jovikids booster seat is choosing protection for your child with every car ride. Kids' boosters are designed not only to look good but also boast top-notch comfort.

No matter whether you need to get a high-back booster for younger children or prefer an isofix booster seat for older ones, Jovikids has you covered. We ensure that our booster seats meet the highest safety standards to give parents that peace of mind who want nothing but the best for their children.

FAQ

Does my 7-year-old need a booster seat in the U.K.?

Yes, by U.K. law, a child is required to ride in a booster seat until they are at least 135 cm tall or turn 12 years of age.

What age can a child go in a backless booster seat?

A backless booster seat can be used once your child reaches the weight of at least 22 kg to a height where the seatbelt fits well without the reliance of a high-back booster seat.

When to switch to backless booster?

You can transition to a backless booster when the child no longer requires the side-impact protection and head support afforded by a high-back booster, which is at about 8 to 12 years depending on the height of the child and seat design of the vehicle.

How do I know if my child has outgrown their booster seat?

Your child is ready to move out of a booster seat when they at least meet one of the requirements below.

1. They are at least 135 cm tall (or 150 cm in some countries).
2. They can sit with their back against the car seat, knees bent at the front edge, and feet flat on the floor.
3. The seat belt fits correctly. The lap belt is across their upper thighs and the shoulder belt crossing their chest.

Is it safe to buy a second-hand booster seat?

It is tempting to save money, but second-hand booster seats can be unsafe. Ensure the seat meets the following criteria:

• Meet current safety standards (ECE R44/04 or R129).
• No signs of damage or missing parts are observed.
• An instruction manual is available with it.
• Has never been in an accident, where its integrity may be compromised.