>
>
>I saw this post while skimming yesterday. It is not my intent to embarrass
>the OP, however, there are many practices described in here that are
>inherently dangerous. Therefore, I am posting this to the list.
>
>>Speaking of car seats........Those darn things take up too much room....
>>We have 7 kids and uh....you all know where I am going with that one.
>
>Not sure how to address this. They take up too much room? As in, a seat
>cannot be found to fit in this particular car, or more than one seat in a
>row? This is a common issue, and different seats may have to be tried to
>find ones that fit.
>
>>We have a van, but I don't see anyone handing me a a 9 & up passenger van
>>because they are complaining that I have a seat on the floor between 2
>>captain chairs.
>
>I would not view this as complaining. This is another person expressing
>their concern over a car seat being unrestrained. This is not only
>dangerous for the child sitting in it, it is a potential hazard for
>anybody sitting in the vehicle. The chances of this child being seriously
>injured in even a minor fender bender are high. Head injury, striking
>another person, flying through the windshield, literally bouncing off the
>van walls - this does not paint a promising picture of walking away from a
>collision injury free, let alone alive.
>
>>put her in their laps and seat belt the both of them and she
>>is content as a peach.....
>
>This is a safety issue. I am sorry this child does not like sitting in her
>seat. However, what is being described is *extremely* dangerous. Very
>dangerous. Double buckling has a whole host of problems, and the injuries
>will be swift and can easily result in death. A child this small sitting
>in a regular seat belt could easily be ejected, or cut in half. Head
>injuries from smacking into the person next to them or behind them. Speed
>x weight = force. IOW, at 30 mph, a 10 lb child will weigh 300 lbs. How
>much will your child weigh? Insert her weight into the formula. The
>chances are, that double buckled like this, both children involved will
>most likely be severely injured, if not killed.
>
>I realize that we all do the best we can. However, what is being described
>is extremely dangerous. It sounds like that at times there are not enough
>belts for everyone. We had this problem in my own family. For months we
>took two cars everywhere we went. Or the only ppl that went were the ones
>that would safely fit in one car. This is the price we must pay for living
>in the age that we do. If we want to step into a huge hunk of metal and
>drive 40, 50, or 60 mph, there are steps we must take to ensure that all
>will make it out alive if anything were to happen. We can be as careful as
>we want with our driving. It's the other driver that is unpredictable, and
>that we cannot control. I am enclosing some links. Please read them.
>Contact a coalition to have your car seats checked. Most places have
>replacement seats available for free or a nominal cost. Or email me, I
>will be happy to find a fitting station or technician that can help.
>
>http://www.carseat.org/ > FAQ > is it safe for my child to share a safety
>belt.
>
>http://boards2.parentsplace.com/messages/get/ppcarseats464.html this board
>is a great place to ask questions, opinions, find out if anyone knows the
>best prices of seats, etc.
>
>http://thematlocks.com/jennifer/CPSafety/car_seat_safety.htm solid
>website, full of good basic information. Links, articles, and statistics
>for almost every facet of child passenger safety.
>
>Tanya