Joie Ask the Expert: Child Car Seat Myths Explained
When travelling in the car with your little one, you’ll naturally want to ensure they’re as safe as possible. With so many safety issues to consider, it can be difficult to know all the dos and don’ts when it comes to child car seats.
To give you peace of mind, we’ve asked child car seat experts, Joie, to address some of the biggest car seat myths to find out whether they’re true or false. Topics include whether your child should wear a coat in their car seat and whether a child seat can be placed in the front of your car.
Myth 1: A child shouldn’t wear a coat in a car seat
True. Thick clothing can prevent the harness from fitting tightly against your child’s body, reducing its effectiveness in the event of an incident. It’s safer to remove bulky coats before securing the harness.
Myth 2: A child car seat should not touch the front seat
True. It’s recommended to leave a gap between the child seat and the front seat. Standard testing assumes no contact and is based on a set space requirement.
Myth 3: The safest spot for a child car seat is the rear middle seat
True. The centre rear seat is the furthest point from potential impact zones, making it statistically the safest position in the vehicle.
Myth 4: You should never put a child’s car seat in the front of a car
False. While the rear seats are always the preferred location, a child seat can legally be used in the front as long as the airbag is switched off and the driver’s visibility is not obstructed. Rear placement is still recommended to minimise distraction.
Myth 5: It’s safe to buy a second‑hand child car seat
False.
Second‑hand seats may have been stored incorrectly or involved in a collision, even if damage isn’t visible. Because you cannot verify their history, they are not recommended.
Myth 6: After any accident, a child car seat should always be replaced
True. Even if no child was in the seat at the time, unseen damage may affect future performance. Replacement is always advised after an accident.
Myth 7: Airbags are highly dangerous for children
True.
Airbags can deploy with significant force and strike a rear‑facing or forward‑facing child seat. Always deactivate the airbag if a child seat is placed in the front.
Myth 8: Children’s legs don’t fit correctly when rear‑facing
False.
Rear‑facing seats allow children to sit comfortably, and in many cases offer more legroom than forward‑facing seats due to the position of the adult seat in front.
Myth 9: i‑Size means ISOFIX installation only
Partly true.
For harnessed car seats, i‑Size requires ISOFIX installation. However, some i‑Size booster seats may not use ISOFIX, depending on the vehicle’s seating position and buckle layout.
Myth 10: A child’s weight isn’t important in R129
False.
Height is the primary measurement for R129, but weight still matters. Once the combined weight of the child and seat exceeds 33kg, ISOFIX can no longer be used as the primary installation method.
Myth 11: The new child car seat standard is i-size
Not quite.
i-size is an enhancement of the R129 safety standard. I-size prioritises ISOFIX to help reduce installation errors; it also helps guarantee fitment into an i-Size certified seating position, due to the mandatory 44cm maximum width.
Joie offers a wide range of R129‑compliant child car seats designed to keep your little one safe and comfortable at every stage. Explore the full range to find the right seat for your family.
In summary, there is some truth in some of these myths, but for a large part, they are entirely false, so it’s always a good idea to consult an expert if you’re not sure. Visit your local Halfords store and chat to one of our experts for more information.
Browse our full range of Joie car seats on halfords.com today.
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