Why you should never use a booster cushion in a car

An email from Britax about their latest safety campaign nestles between two other emails in my inbox. Both these emails are from other PRs concerning their car seat booster cushion brand accounts.

This is why is worth reminding parents about the essential Britax Bin the Booster campaign.

It would be easy to dismiss any company running a campaign as a marketing ploy, but the Britax’s Bin the Booster is essential for raising awareness about how dangerous booster cushion car seats can be.

The video above shows a crash featuring a high back car seat and a booster cushion.

“After watching this footage, parents will think twice when choosing a Group 2-3 car seat as it is incredibly haunting and really demonstrates the importance of deep protective side wings, head support and seat belt guides to ensure that seat belts are correctly positioned and fitted,” says Mark Bennett, Britax’s safety expert.

“We are calling for all parents using booster cushions to switch to a highback booster option and help us further spread the word about the inadequate protection these cushions provide – it could save precious lives this summer.”

Booster cushions are not illegal to use and are widely available to buy very cheaply. They make an attractive option for parents not wishing to lug big seats around, during holiday travelling or trying to fit more children into a car.

But the cushions offer no side impact or head protection.

The reason cushions are still legally able to be sold is because current EU safety standards do not require tests for side collisions on Group 2-3 seats.

For more information on Britax’s range of Group 2-3 seats, visit  www.britax.co.uk