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How
to choose a car seat
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You might think that anyone who can read an instruction manual and follow instructions can install a child's car seat. In reality though, it is not quite so easy.
Step 1: Placing the car seat
Step 2: Installing your car seat
Step 3: Making your car seat safe
Statistics prove that the most protected seat in the car is the one in the centre of the back seat - as long as your car seat is approved for use with the type of seat belt fitted in your car. The next best protected seat is the left hand rear seat - nearest the kerb. Then the next is the right hand rear set, then the front passenger seat, and the driver's seat is the least protected. Most accidental damage to vehicles is at the front on the driver's side.
It is illegal to use a rearward facing car seat on a passenger seat that is fitted with an airbag. The safest option is to always install an infant carrier or car seat in a rearward facing position on the back seat of the vehicle.
Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when fitting the car seat. Be sure to keep them safe for future references, especially with combination car seats, as you will need the instructions again when changing the seat to its forward position.
Loose adult seat belts can be dangerous because they allow the car seat to move around. Lean your full weight into the car seat and pull the adult seat belt as tight as possible around the seat. When correctly fitted, the car seat will not move forward or side-to-side.
Ensure that the buckle of the seat belt lies clear of the car seat's frame. If the buckle is allowed to rest on the frame it may snap open in an accident.
If it is difficult to get a firm fit, or to avoid the buckle sitting near to the frame, try fitting the child car seat in another seating position or use a lap-belt fitting kit.
For maximum safety, the harness should be adjusted before every car journey. Any slack in the harness will reduce the protection level of the car seat. Make sure that at most, only the thickness of two fingers can be inserted between the harness and the child's chest. The harness buckle should be as low as possible to keep the lap section of the harness across the pelvis - not resting on the vulnerable stomach area. Remember that children can also be injured if strapped in too tightly. The harness, chest pads and harness shoulder height must all be correctly adjusted according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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