Five life-saving car seat rules you shouldn’t ignore
We all know travelling with kids isn’t exactly stress-free, but even if family life is hectic, don’t forget to check you are following these absolutely essential car seat rules to make your journeys as safe as they can be:
1. Make sure the car seat is properly installed
Before you even put your little one into the car seat, you should make sure it is correctly installed in your car: in the UK 80% of car seats are fitted incorrectly! When you buy your car seat you can ask the store for a fitting demonstration, and some stores will even fit the car seat for you. If not, take your time and read the safety instructions. Keep the manual near the car seat at all times as it will answer any of your fitting questions.
2. Use the right kind of car seat
Babies should be kept in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible. This is because these seats offer the best possible protection to the smaller baby. In the event of a frontal impact the rearward facing car seat supports your baby's head and neck. Once your child can hold their head unaided and outgrows the weight category for the rear-facing seat, you might consider buying a forward-facing seat. Generally speaking, forward-facing car seats are suitable for children weighing approximately 9-18kg (roughly equivalent to ages 1-4).
3. Make sure the shoulder straps are in the right position
If your child is in a rear-facing seat the top of the shoulder straps should be at or below the baby's shoulders. When in a forward-facing seat the straps need to be at or above the baby’s shoulders. Straps should also pass the pinch test: pull any slack tight from the lap-portion, and then pinch the straps at the collar bone. If you're able to pinch the strap, it's too loose.
4. Make sure the chest clip is positioned properly
The chest clip belongs between the nipples and armpits: This positions the straps so your child doesn't fly out of the seat. If you place the chest clip anywhere else it can cause serious damage to the child if there is an accident.
5. No coats in the car seat!
Coats are not safe in car seats and almost all manufacturers have this rule in their manual as well. To understand why, place your child in a coat and put them in their seat and tighten the straps properly. Without loosening the straps, remove your child and remove their coat. Now place them back in the seat. That is how much room your child would have once the coat compressed under pressure, much like how you can squish a pillow if you sit on it. Why not try putting the coat on after the harness, or better still, keep blankets in the car in case your little ones get cold?
