Car Seat Safety

21 June 2010, 14:30

You’ve done the research, and bought the right seat for your child and your car.  So what do you do now?  Did the shop assistant fit it in your car?  Does that mean it is there for life and your never need to look at it or check it again? No, it doesn’t. You should check the seat before every trip no matter how short – even just popping round to the shops.

Above is a video which should tell you everything you needed to know when fitting your child's car seat. You can print off this page (see Print command above) and share it with anyone who takes your child in the car – grandparents, childminders or friends.  They  all need to know what to do and what to look out for before they take your child on a trip.

A booster-cushion is a forward-facing seat that:

•    can be used in the front (if no frontal airbag is fitted) or rear of the car

•    is for a child who has grown too big for other restraints

•    lifts the child so that the adult seatbelt can be used

•    ensures that the seatbelt is positioned safely

•    should be used with a lap and diagonal belt

•    may have guides to improve the position of the seatbelt at the shoulder position

•    has "false hips" to absorb any impact on a child's underdeveloped hips

DO NOT use on a seat fitted with a frontal airbag.

Who it's for?
Group 3    22kg – 36kg (3st 7Ib – 5st) approx 6 - 12 years

Points to remember when fitting your booster cushion:

•    Never fit in a front seat with a passenger airbag, even if it is switched off.

•    Is the frame of the seat pushing against the seatbelt buckle in any way?  If it is readjust the seat, as this “buckle crunching” can weaken the seatbelt if you have a crash.

•    Have you checked that the adult belt is through all the appropriate points on the seat?  Check the instructions to make sure.

•    Have you checked how tight the adult seat belt is?  Always pull away any slack, and straighten out any twists.
 

For more information, visit www.protectchild.co.uk.


 

Last updated: 21 June 2010, 17:07