Anyone know if there's such a thing as a lock for a car seat?

[shoyski]

Hey All,

21 month old DS has learned how to push the lock on his car seat and can undo it while I'm driving. :eek: It happened twice last week and I put it down to a fluke. Well, yesterday he undid it everytime I locked it back up. Today I tried wrapping a sock around the lock and even though he was angry with me, he managed to undo the lock quite quickly.

Any ideas? I checked BRU and they do not sell such an item (nor have they heard of anything like it).

TIA :)

[funnybone]

Well, the manufacturers think their car seat belts are child proof. :rolleyes: Those with kids know nothing is child proof! My youngest son did this a couple of times when he was small, but fortunately he stopped. I hope your son does as well.

[eas11]

You should call the manufactuer and ask. I would hope they would be anxious to help, since this is a BIG safety concern. I wonder if it's been recalled? It SHOULD be if he can open it.

We have car seat belt covers at our school, but we don't use child seats, so I've never looked for them in the catalogs.

Ellyn

[clairea]

I've never seen a lock. The only thing I can think of is to get one of the carseats that has an overhead shield like this:
.http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid69/p53f99e3f9eec23de4eb72b5f39ef6e3d/fbb744e9.jpg
. We had one from Century, and it would have been really difficult for a child to reach the lock. I didn't like it as much as the ones with a 5-point harness, because it was also harder for me to buckle and unbuckle, but that isn't a big deal compared to keeping your child in his seat. I hope someone has a better solution for you that doesn't involve buying a whole new carseat, though.

[lhall]

Shelley,

We have the one pictured above that my dad gave us. Mariel liked to undo the clasp that fits across her chest on the our other carseat. I'm using the one pictured above in the van now and it has a locking clasp there and Mariel can't undo that. She also can not reach the button that releases the arm and strap, which is over the edge of the seat and below her knees. That might be good for Tru.

Leigh

[shoyski]

Thanks for the responses. I think I will call Brittax and talk to them about it...never thought of doing that. I'd prefer not to purchase another car seat but if it must be done, I'll do it. The thing that ticks me off is that Brittax was supposed to be one of the "safest" seats available. Oh well, you just never know, do you?! :)

Thanks also for suggestions on a new seat if we have to go that route. Nice to be able to hear good recommendations on ones that are tried and true.

[Beth]

Since he had learned this is an effective way to get your attention, you might also try a diversion or bribery to work on keeping hiim from undoing the lock. One of my kids would have listened to a logical explanation and firm rule at that age and probably would have accepted it after a couple of tests -- the other would have persisted until there was a diversion (activity or other means of getting attention) or a bribe (a reward for every trip without an unlocking or such).

I think you should offer his services to Brittax for future kidproofing trials and tests. I'd offer my younger son, but he's too old for car seats now.

[shoyski]

Just thought I'd update you on the car seat situation, in case any of you run into this problem.

I called Britax (888-427-4829) and they are sending me a cover for the clasp/button. They only charged .99 for the shipping.

In the meantime, we are using heavy duty velcro that's a pain in the butt but working well. :p