Child Car Seats
Car Seat Buying Guide
Nothing is more important than your child's safety, and the importance of having your baby, toddler or child safely secured in the car cannot be underestimated. Not only is it illegal not to restrain your child properly, it is also highly dangerous.
In all instances, it is recommended that you try your choice of car seat before purchase. This will ensure that the seat you choose is right for your car. Not all car seats are stocked by all stores, so it is best to phone your nearest store and they will be able to advise you.
Age
Essentially, it is your child's weight, rather than age, which will determine which car seat you need.
Choosing the right seat
Before choosing a car seat, there are two main points to remember:
- Not all car seats fit all cars; check that the car seat you have chosen will fit in your car in all the positions you may want to use it.
- Buy a car seat to suit your baby's weight, not their age. And remember, as soon as your baby's weight exceeds the limit for that model, you will have to move on to the next model.
There are basically five types of car seats; baby car seats, rearward and forward facing car seats, forward facing car seats, highback boosters and booster seats.
The type of car seat you choose will ultimately depend on the weight of your baby. Some seats cater for a wider weight range than others so can be used for a longer period.
Product Features - Baby car seats
Babies are safer facing rearwards, so should be kept in this position for as long as possible.
Baby car seats are portable, rear-facing seats secured by a lap and diagonal seat belt in the front or rear of the car.
Baby car seats should be used from birth until your baby weighs up to 13 kg (29 lbs), although some are only suitable up to a weight of 10 kg (22 lbs). Weight limits are indicated in the product details and should be checked before you make a purchase.
Baby car seats are lightweight, making them easy to move in and out of the car.
They also have handles, which make them easy to carry.
Out of the car, baby car seats double as a baby chair for use inside the house, some also have the facility to rock.
For added comfort, baby car seats have adjustable seat positions.
Note: If you are also buying a pushchair, it is worth remembering that some manufacturers now offer travel systems that give you a baby car seat which fits on a compatible pushchair frame. This enables you to move your sleeping baby from the car and into a pushchair with minimal disturbance.
Rearward and forward facing car seats
A harness secures the baby in the seat, which is fitted in the car using a lap and diagonal seat belt.
These two-way car seats are good value as they can be used for a long period, from birth up to 18 kg (40 lbs), approximately 4 years.
Rearward facing seats are suitable from birth up to a weight of 13 kg (29 lbs), although some only go up to 10 kg (22 lbs), depending on the make.
Forward facing seats are suitable for babies weighing between 9 - 18 kg/ 20 - 40 lbs. However, it is better to keep your baby in a rearward facing seat until he or she exceeds the rearward facing weight limit.
For added comfort, rearward and forward-facing car seats have adjustable seat positions.
Forward facing seats
Forward facing car seats use the adult lap and diagonal seat belts to secure both the seat and your child in the front or rear of the car. Some also come with a built-in child harness.
Forward facing seats are suitable for children who weigh at least 9 kg (20 lbs) and can sit up unaided. Most cater for children weighing between 9 - 18 kg/ 20 - 40 lbs, although some models are suitable for children weighing between 9 - 25 kg/ 20 - 55 lbs, (approximately nine months to six years).
For added comfort, they have adjustable seat positions.
Highback boosters
Highback boosters are versatile forward facing seats, which convert to a booster for an older child. Both seat and child are secured using a lap and diagonal seat belt in the front or rear of the car.
Highback boosters are suitable for children weighing between 9 - 36 kg/ 20 - 79 lbs.
Most highback boosters can be used as a car seat for children weighing between 9 - 25 kg/ 20 - 50 lbs, (approximately 9 months to 6 years), or as a booster seat (with the back removed) for children weighing between 15 - 36 kg/ 33 - 79 lbs, (approximately 4 to 11 years).
Highback boosters give added height so your child can see out of the window. This can help to relieve boredom and also reduces the risk of car sickness.
Booster seats
The booster seat and your child are secured using an adult lap and diagonal seat belt in the front or rear of the car.
They allow your child to see out of the window, which helps to relieve boredom and also reduces the risk of travel sickness.
Booster seats are suitable for children weighing between 15 - 36 kg/ 33 - 79 lbs, (approximately 4 to 11 years).
Safety first
Make sure your child is always wearing a seat belt or is secured in a suitable car seat, no matter how short the journey.
Make sure the car seat harness is a snug fit. You should only just be able to get two fingers in between the harness and your child's chest.
Check the tension of the adult seat belt before every journey. To do this, tug the car seat from the child's harness. If there is more than one or two centimetres of movement, the seat belt needs tightening.
Make sure that everyone who takes your child out in a car, whether it be a carer, relative or friend, knows how the car seat works.
If you are involved in an accident you should replace your child's car seat even if you can't see any visible damage. There may be damage that you can't see that has made it unsafe. For the same reason, avoid buying second hand car seats.
Remember to cover the seat if your car is left standing in direct sunshine. Metal fittings can become hot to touch.
Weigh your baby regularly and make sure that you are using the correct seat for your baby's weight.
WARNING
Under no circumstances should you use any child car seat on a front passenger seat that is fitted with an air bag. This is extremely dangerous and failure to follow this advice could result in serious injury or even the death of a child.
It's the law
For children under 3 years of age, travelling in the front seat of a car, to wear an approved child restraint appropriate to their weight - not an adult seat belt on its own
For children ages 3-11 years and under 1.5m in height, sitting anywhere in the car to wear an appropriate child restraint if one is available, otherwise an adult seat belt.
