Child Seat
| Published: 8th August 2007 11:28 |
New Regulations
Children under 3 years MUST use a child seat or booster appropriate for their weight in all vehicles
Children 3 years or up to 135cm tall (or up to 12 years of age whichever they reach first) MUST use the appropriate child restraint in all vehicles fitted with seat belts. These children can travel in the rear using an adult belt only when -
* in a taxi or on an occasional short journey in an unexpected necessity if the right child restraints are not available
* two occupied rear child seats prevent a third being fitted
Rear-facing baby seats MUST NOT be used in a seat protected by a front air-bag unless the airbag has been de-activated manually or automatically.
Tips for buying
Choose the right seat for your child's height and weight. The label should help you.
Try it for fit in the car - or cars - you will use it in.
Look for the official approval mark. The current UN standard is Regulation 44.03
Beware of second hand seats. They could have been damaged and may not meet modern standards. The fitting instructions may also be missing
Ask for help and advice, its your childs life at risk.
Fitting a child car seat
You can protect your child by putting them in a properly fitted child car seat which is appropriate for their weight and size.
Fit it properly every time. It's no good if you don't
Take time to get your child comfortably strapped in.
Make sure the adult seatbelt passes through all the correct guides.
Never modify the seat or adult seatbelt to make it fit.
The child seat must be tight in the adult seat.
The adult seatbelt buckle should not be bent over or rest on the child seat frame.
Never fit a rear-facing seat with an active airbag in front of it.
What are `child restraints'
`Child restraints' is the collective term for:
Baby seats, rear-facing, for children up to 13kgs (approx age birth to 9-12 months)
Child seats, forward facing, for children 9kgs to 18 kgs (9 months to 4 years)
Booster seats, for children 15kgs and up (from approx 4 years)
Booster cushions, for children from 22kgs (from approx 6 years)
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