 Car
Seats on Test
The latest advice on infant car seats:
Recent tests on child car seats by the consumer association
Which? sent a wave of fear through many safety-conscious parents. The
car seats were tested to a much more rigorous standard than the legal
requirements, and at this level of testing - simulating a crash at 40mph
- no infant car seats were given the full thumbs up. However, a child
is still far safer in the current car seats than no car seat at all, and
parents should not be put off buying one.
The Which? survey results suggest that the following points
should be most carefully considered when making your choice:
- The car seat must be the correct size for your child. The seat must
surround the child's head - once they grow beyond the seat back it will
not offer protection.
- The car seat must fit correctly in your car and any other car you
are likely to use it in. Ask the retailer to demonstrate how the car
seat fits and check it is suitable for your vehicle BEFORE you buy.
Securing clamps must stay in place if the seat is to stay safe - this
may mean it is slightly fiddly to fit, but that should not put you off.
- The shoulder harness must fit correctly over the shoulders and good
seats will offer adjustable positions so the harness can remain correctly
sited as the child grows. Padded harnesses will help to prevent chest
injuries.
- Rearward facing car seats will generally offer better protection than
forward facing car seats in front impact accidents.
- High, well-padded sides around the head will generally offer better
protection in side impact accidents.
Which is the safest car seat?
All car seats that are sold in the UK must pass the same
European crash tests, which specify requirements for protecting a child
in a front-on crash at 30mph. All child restraints (baby seats, child
seats, booster seats and booster cushions) sold in the UK must conform
to the United Nations ECE Regulation R44.03 or later standard (R44.04).
The standard, ECE R44.04, was introduced at the end of June 2005, and
all new child car seats had to meet this standard from the end of June
2006. Child restraints that conform to a British Standard or to an earlier
version of R44 may continue to be used, although as these will now be
several years old, parents should consider replacing them with a car seat
that conforms to R44.04.
Some car seats may have extra features that make them easier
to install correctly, such as ISOFIX, built-in seat belt tensioners, locking
clips or non-twisting straps. As proper installation is the most important
factor, these installation aids can improve the likelihood of correct
fitting and therefore the safety of your child.
In summary, the best way to keep your baby safe in the car
is:
- Check that it is the right group/type of car seat for your baby/child's
weight, size and development
- Check it fits your car properly
- Check that you can fit it properly and adjust it as your child grows
- Then look at other features that might make the seat "easier" to fit
or more comfy for your child
Buying Your Car Seat
Fitting Your Car Seat
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