child car seats
There are now new rules regarding child safety in cars and rightly so, they are our most precious cargo and if one child’s life can be saved by us taking heed –then its well worth it.
I still remember “ clunk click every trip” , and I am waiting for a new catchy saying to press home the new child car seat laws, how about “ If they are under four foot five –then it’s a child seat to survive”. OK I know it’s cheesy but here are the facts;
It is now law that children up to 135 cms (around 4’5”) or up to 12 years old, whichever comes first, must travel in the correct child seat.
There are different child seats which are dependant on the age and weight of the child;
- Baby seats are for babies weighing up to 13kgs ( birth to 9-12 months) or until they can support their own head. They face backwards and are fitted into the front or rear of the car with a seat belt. They should never be used in the front where the front seat is protected with a passenger airbag (that can’t be turned off)
- Child car seats are for children weighing between 9 and 18 kgs (aged 9 months to about 4 years) and have their own straps. They face forwards and are usually fitted in the back seat of the car with a seat belt.
- Booster seats and booster cushions are for children weighing 15 to 36 kgs (aged around 4 years and upwards). They are designed to raise them so they can use an adult seat belt safely across their chest and lower abdomen.
Tips
Try before you buy and get a trained professional to demonstrate how to fit the seat.Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly and allow plenty of time to fit a child car seat in your car- as well as your child when it comes to strapping them into the seat!
Make sure your child car seat is properly fitted every time you use it. Always keep a copy of the fitting instructions in your car.
Always make sure that your children’s car seat belts are properly adjusted and fastened before setting off in the car, even on the shortest of trips.
Lap and diagonal belts are safer than lap-only belts.