My daughter (3.5 years) and I are going to San Francisco tomorrow to visit my sisters and my new baby niece!! So excited! Anyways, I am buying a (used) CARES harness for use on the plane but will need a carseat for my sisters car when we get there. My sister is insisting that CA law says she needs to use a convertible carseat, even though she is almost 4 and about 36lbs (I thought it would be easier to get a booster seat for cheap to use for the week we are there). CA moms, is this the law in CA, are your 3.5 year olds still using carseats?
Does anyone know of a place we could get a used one? They both live in the mission district near delores park. We are only there for 5 days so I hate to spend a bunch of money on a seat, plus they don't have room to store it. I would bring mine but don't want to haul it with if possible.
Thanks!
Just bring yours. You should NEVER use a used car seat, as you have no idea if it has any recall issues, broken parts or has been in an accident.
It is tons less expensive to buy a travel bag for your car seat then it is to worry about find a new one in CA and figuring out the laws.
I don't know the exact law in CA other than 6 yrs/60lbs in safety seat or booster seat.
I found this website on Car Seat FAQ's.. California is known to err on the side of caution and follow recommendations.. So my guess if, it is recommended by powers that be.. then CA will follow it.. Sorry not more help..
Are you renting a car? Some of the car rental companies will rent you a baby car seat if you don't want to spend the money or the time looking around. Otherwise you can look at craigslist.org or eBay.com.
Have fun and congrats to the new mom.
I would bring yours. You're really not hauling it anywhere really since you will use it when you go somewhere by car and it will stay in the car when you don't need it. You don't have to check it (though it is free), your daughter can use it on the plane. I wouldn't even consider renting one or buying one used unless you know for sure, for sure it has not been in a car accident.
Also, I would always err on the side of more safe when it comes to properly belting a child in a car. I live in MN and have a ton of relatives in Northern CA and have never looked up child restraint laws in CA because my son's car seat goes where he goes. Oh and MN and CA restraint laws are similar, your daughter should likely still be in a convertible seat here in MN as well.
California law says that booster seats can be used when a child reaches 40lbs--no minimum age requirement. Must be used with lap and shoulder belts.
If your sister is driving, she would be the one who gets the ticket and penalties if your child isn't properly restrained in the car. In some states, the car owner can be held liable...even if they aren't the driver.
I don't know what you consider a "bunch of money" but you can pick up a perfectly safe and inexpensive car seat from Walmart for $50-60 (Cosco brand).
It doesn't cost anything to check the seat on most major airlines and doesn't take away from the rest of your baggage allowance. Double bag and tape in heavy trash bags (barrel liners) or buy a zip up canvas. If you buy a Cosco seat, they come in a plastic zip bag that is perfect for this (though the bag will only hold up for a couple of trips).
