Car Seat Safety Week: What Parents Need to Know About Booster Seats

Making the move from a 5-point harness car seat to a booster seat is one of those milestones that feels both exciting and a little nerve-wracking for parents. You want your child to feel like a “big kid,” but you also want them as safe as possible. With Car Seat Safety Week here, it’s the perfect time to talk about booster seat safety, some of the best booster seat brands (like Nuna, Clek, and Peg Perego), and when it’s truly time to make the switch.

When Should Your Child Move to a Booster Seat?

One of the most common mistakes parents make is moving their child to a booster too soon. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping your child in a 5-point harness as long as possible—until they’ve reached the height or weight limit of their forward-facing car seat.

A booster seat should only come into play when:

  • Your child has outgrown the maximum harness weight or height of their current car seat.

  • They are mature enough to sit upright the entire ride without slouching or unbuckling.

  • The vehicle seat belt fits properly across their shoulder and chest, not their neck or stomach.

Parent Tip: Think of the harness as your child’s “training wheels” for car safety. Just like you wouldn’t rush to remove training wheels before your child is ready, you don’t want to move to a booster until they’ve truly outgrown the harness.

Booster Seat Safety Tips for Parents

✔️ Check seat belt fit every time. The lap belt should lie flat across the upper thighs, and the shoulder belt should sit snugly across the chest and collarbone.
✔️ Use high-back boosters for extra support. They help position the seat belt correctly and give kids a more comfortable ride—especially if your car doesn’t have headrests.
✔️ No bulky coats in the seat. Just like with a car seat harness, a puffy jacket can prevent a snug and safe fit.
✔️ Teach good booster habits. Remind your child to sit upright and keep the belt where it belongs. Wiggly kids may still benefit from staying in a harness a little longer.

Our Trusted Booster Seat Brands

At our store, we offer only the safest and most parent-approved booster seat options:

  • Nuna: Known for sleek design, easy installation, and top-notch safety features. Nuna’s boosters grow with your child, providing a long-lasting solution without sacrificing style.

  • Clek: A favorite among safety-conscious parents, Clek boosters are engineered with rigid LATCH for added stability, advanced side-impact protection, and eco-friendly fabrics.

  • Peg Perego: With Italian craftsmanship and thoughtful safety design, Peg Perego boosters combine comfort and practicality—perfect for growing kids who want a comfortable ride.

We get it—kids can’t wait to feel like a “big kid” in the car. But remember, safety always comes first. It’s not about what seat looks “older” or “cooler”—it’s about what keeps your child safest in the event of a crash. Staying in a 5-point harness a little longer is never a bad thing.

Parent Tip: If your child is eager to switch, let them help pick out the fabric or style of their booster when the time comes. That way, the move feels like a reward, not just another rule.

The Bottom Line

Car seat safety isn’t about rushing milestones—it’s about protecting your child at every stage. This Car Seat Safety Week, take a moment to double-check your child’s seat, review the height and weight requirements, and make sure their car seat or booster is installed correctly.

And if you’re not sure whether your child is ready for a booster? Stop by our Northbrook store. Our certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) can walk you through the process, check your current setup, and help you find the safest seat from trusted brands like Nuna, Clek, and Peg Perego.

Because when it comes to your child’s safety, confidence matters. 💙

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