Keeping 4 year old in car seat

[JNMann]

We have a 4 year old child who just will not stay in his car seat. He's still in the younger type of seat and we have an extra buckle fitted above the normal one along with a plastic spiked patch on the red release button. The spikes are uncomfortable to touch so this put him off for a few weeks. Now he can undo both buckles and has no hesitation pessing the spiked button!
He's on the edge of needing to go into the next seat up and I think he may be safer in one of these (More likely to stay put !) but in the meantime does anyone have any advice please? Can the buckles be covered in something children can't get off?
We've tried everything, nice/nasty/blackmail !

Many thanks in advance,
Justin

[Buenchico]

RoSPA advise against using any 'anti-tamper devices' on a child's seat belt.

However, you might find some useful suggestions here:
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing/child ren_undoing_belts.htm

Chris

[JNMann]

Many thanks for the link, I'll take a read. Yes, I know when we were 'given' the anti tamper items we were told that they canno tbe licensed in the UK. If you don't use them the child isn't secured properly, but if they won't licence them there must be a potential risk, it's weighing the risks up!
Thanks again,
Justin

[meltoadhall]

could you move him to the car seat that uses a normal seat belt. often the catch is hidden (well i could never find it when i tried to get mine out) under the seat, is he old enough to be told the consequences... accidents etc.

[Lonnie]

My daughters an adult Autistic, but with a mental age of approx 18 months, and hsd the same problem, conact the National Autistic Society, the links below, and on the Advice and Support bit, there's a telephone number, they'll be more than pleased to give you advice, whether your a member or not..

http://www.nas.org.uk/

[Lonnie]

Sorry Jn, stuck it in the wrong post.

[mycats]

I would imagine that anti tamper things would be dangerous if there was an accdent and the child had to be released from the car in a hurry

[JNMann]

The anti tamper is a buckle clip that fits to both sides of the harness and just slides together. The other item is simply a small stick on pad that has plastic bristles. The idea being that the child finds it uncomfortable (not painful) to press the release button but an adult doesn't really notice it. After a while the child realises this as well though!
I can't really see any added danger with these items, only a benefit really in most cases. If the child is out of the seat surely this is the most dangerous situation.
Justin