It’s hard to believe Halloween is over and Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. Every year we travel to see family. We are in the process of figuring out how we are getting to and from. Traveling by train and plane can get tricky because we have to think about a car seat and booster seat to help us get to and from. If booking last-minute, renting from a car rental company be an option because they could be sold out. It also gets tricky when traveling alone because I need hands to help my girls and can’t carry the booster, push a stroller and carry the luggage. The less I have to carry, the better!
We recently had the opportunity to try the BoostAPak, a booster seat and back pack in one created by Safety 1st and Trunki. Did you know the law requires all children under 12 years old or 135cm in height to use a booster seat? This backless booster is for ages 4- 12 and 40-80 pounds. It is great for car pools or travel as it moves easily from car to car and fits into an overhead aircraft bin. It also has a unique, patented fold-out seat belt guides, and a durable plastic shell. Retails for $69.99 at BuyBuyBaby (click link to purchase)!
Why we love it:
- Easy to install
- Small, compact and easy to store in small city apartments.
- My daughter thinks it’s “cool”. She WANTS to carry it on her back, making it easier for me so I have free hands to help her and her sister.
- She can fit a pair of PJ’s, her teddy, and an outfit or two, and her toothbrush and rainbow loom for an overnight trip to visit her godmother on LI or to visit relatives in NJ.
- My parents relocated to South Carolina. I know I will be flying alone this summer, the BoostAPak will be great for my daughter to bring coloring books, crayons, and other toys to keep busy and I won’t have to buy multiple booster seats for cars.
Traveling this Holiday season? Here are Travel Safety tips from Julie Vallese, Consumer Safety Expert for Safety 1st:
- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 75% of car seats on the road are installed incorrectly.
- The safest place to install a car seat is typically in the center of the rear seat.
- Check in with a local Child Passenger Safety Technician to ensure your child’s seat is installed correctly. You can visit a local police station, fire station, AAA office or Safe Kids Chapter for guidance.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2. It also advises that most children will need to ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years of age.
- Don’t leave a child alone in the car. Hyperthermia is a severe form of heat stroke and last year 32 children died after being left or trapped in a hot vehicle. You can learn more about this issue and easy tips to prevent it here.
- Childproof the inside of the car and eliminate projectiles. Anything in the car that is not secured is a possible projectile – even a child’s toy, or a water bottle. In a crash, objects take on greater weight due to crash forces.
- Make sure unused shoulder belts are not in reach of children as they can pose strangulation risk.
- Car seats expire! You can find the expiration date on the back of the car seat. Also, another very important tip – once a car seat has been in a crash you should not use it, plastic can warp and materials can fray. To properly dispose of a car seat check with your local waste management facility to see if they recycle number 5 plastic.
Safe travels this Holiday season!
Disclaimer: I received a BoostAPak for review. All images and opinions expressed are my own. Information in italics came from a press release or the BoostApak website.
Tags: back pack, BoostAPak, booster seat, cars, children, gear, holidays, Kids, safety 1st, travel, trunki
Tastefully Childish 