Need to safely fit 3 in '07 Escape

[Mom23inNC]

I have three kids in booster seats and need to figure the safest way to get them all into the back seat of an '07 Ford Escape. We have the 7 year old in a backless tubo-booster in the center of the backseat as he is the least protected and we feel this is the safest position for him. We have two 5 year olds on each of the outside positions. One of them is in a Gracoturbo booster, the other in a Britax Parkway booster. Both of the 5 year old's seats have backs.

Our problem....The seats fit three across...however, the middle seat (where ds sits) it is very hard to reach the buckle as it is low in the seat. Would it be safe to get a seat belt extender from the ford dealership so that we can buckle him in properly?

Thanks.

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

	Britax Parkway - Click for more info The new Parkway Booster from Britax builds on their company's reputation as the maker of some of the safest seats on the market today. It's one of the only boosters to offer True Side Impact Protection - the EPS foam-padded headrest and side "wings" aren't just great for naps, they're engineered to provide vital protection to your child in the event of a side-impact crash. (Side-impact crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 6-14, making this an issue of major importance for booster seats.)

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[MnMadhouse]

Make sure your 7 y/o that is in the backless booster has a headrest behind him. You will have to call your dealership about the extender, but I would just have him get in first, move the other booster out of the way a bit, buckle, then that child get into their booster.

	Booster Seat A booster seat raises your child up so that the car's lap and shoulder belts fit correctly. The lap belt should fall across the upper thighs. The shoulder belt should go across the middle of the shoulder and chest. A booster seat is used for older children up to about 80 pounds. Some states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8 or 80 pounds. Check your state's law.

[Mom23inNC]

Yes...the center seat does have a headrest in that position. So, a seatbelt extender would be a safe option if a change in the buckling sequence cannot be established?

[Papooses]

A buckle extender is a last resort option.... I personally would consider a Ride Safer Travel Vest instead -- it crash tests more like a harness & will be much easier to reach the buckle (some find it a tad bit time consuming to use, but the more you do it the easier/quicker it becomes)

[Mom23inNC]

Holy cow...I never knew a critter like that existed. I am looking at their website now. That would be absolutely perfect for when we have all three in that vehicle at the same time! Thank you for mentioning the Ride Safer Travel Vest. The buckle extender concerned me as manufacturers like Honda don't believe they are safe....

I am definately bringing this new option up to my husband.