Buyer's Guide to Car Seats
What car seats are currently available?
There are four groups of child seats in all, divided into certain bodyweight classes. The infant carrier is always installed rear-facing and is generally suitable for babies up to 13kg (weight group 0+). Infants are very safely accomodated in thesse and the seat should therefore not be changed until your child's head is close to prptruding from the shell/ Children weighing between 9 and 18kg (appoximately up to 5 years) come within the next weight range, Group 1. Groups 2 and 3 are for children from 15kg to 36kg. It is essential to keep strictly to the instructions for the weight, size and age. We suggest parebts use their baby carrier for as long as possible; infants should not be put intpo a front-facing seat too soon.
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Which seat in the car is safest for my baby?
The safest place for your child is on the back seats. It is best to choose the rear left side or rear centre seat as the child then always enters and leaves the car on the side nearest the pavement. For cars with airbags, it is essential to follow the recommendations and instructions given by the car manufacturer.
What should you consider before buying a car seat?
you should check tes results when buying a child seat and it is essential to try the seat out in your car because not all child sets fit equally well in all vehicles. It is important to check that the belt in the vehicle is long enough, and that the harness straps are as snug as possible on your baby's shoulders so it's advisable not to dress your baby in heavy outerwear in the car. It is worth getting specialist advice as errors in installing and using these seats have a negative impact on safety. It is vital that the fitting instructions are adhured to. Common faults are:
 loose installation in the car
the child harnesses are not fastened
the belt does not route across the child's shoulders.
Can I use a second-hand seat?
It is advisable not to use a second-hand car sear, unless you are absolutely certain of its history. You must ensure it is undamaged and has not been involved in an accident. Any second-hand car seat should also match up to the current test standard. As a precaution, child seats should be replaced after about six years.
Can I use a car seat in a vehicle with an airbag?
Rear-facing seats must not be installed on the passenger seat in cars with an active passenger seat airbag. Otherwise, a triggered airbag could shoo straight into the child seat shell, exerting considerable pressure. If the car is equipped with side airbags, then care must be taken that the child does not fall sideways onto the operative area of the airbag.
Does a child seat have to be replaced afer an accident?
It is always advised that the seat should be replaced after an accident.
The following Retailers Offer a wide range of child car seats along with professional advice on fitting:
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