Expert Advice: Child car seats
Here we’ll cover some of the most common mistakes made when it comes to child car seats. Ensure that your baby is as safe as possible for all future car journeys, long and short, with our expert advice.
The dos and don’ts of child car seats:
1. DO ensure proper fit and comfort
Does your young child become restless and frustrated during travel? Do you find yourself searching how to stop your toddler getting out of their car seat? It could be that their car seat doesn’t fit them. This increases the risk of them becoming injured in a car accident.
When picking out your baby’s car seat, you need to consider both their age and weight. When following the European safety standard i-Size, your baby will fall into group 0+ until they reach approx. 15 months or weigh up to 13kg.
For young babies, they should always be positioned in a rear-facing car seat as they can’t sufficiently support their own head and neck or sit up unassisted. Alternatively, two-way or rotatable seats are great for easy access and can last your baby longer, providing a greater value for money.
Additionally, it could be the weather that makes your baby’s car seat risky, particularly throughout the winter months.
When the weather drops colder, it’s important to know how to keep your infant warm in their car seat whilst remaining safe. A bulky puffer coat can compress during an accident and may create space between your baby’s body and the car seat straps, contributing to the increased risk of injury. Instead, dress your baby in thin and breathable layers, including socks and gloves.
However, you should always be careful to ensure that your baby doesn’t get too hot when the car heats up. An overheating baby is much more likely to suffer from SIDS.
2. DON’T leave them strapped in for too long
How long can I leave my baby in a car seat?
Many first-time parents are unaware of how long they can leave their baby in the car seat for. As a general rule, babies shouldn’t be left in their car seat for longer than 2 hours at a time. This because there is some evidence to suggest that infants struggle to breathe more when they are sat upright, compared to lying on their backs. There is no UK law that dictates car travel timing for babies, but regular breaks are always advised by professionals.
So, when does the 2-hour car seat rule end? Many experts advise limiting car travel and time spent in car seats across the first 6 months of a baby’s life. You should primarily focus on your baby’s milestones like supporting the weight of their head, rather than their age as an indicator. The 2-hour rule may vary between infants, but we’d always advise regular breaks, no matter how old or capable your child is. Remember to never leave your baby alone in your car, under any circumstances.
3. DO think about where to put the car seat
Where should you put your car seat?
You can legally pop your baby in any passenger car seat, including the front or back. However, remember to always switch off the airbag if you’re putting the car seat in the front. Experts generally advise that your baby is safest when they’re in the back.
4. DON’T let their car seat expire
So, when do infant car seats expire? You should check your car seat manufacturer’s guide to see if there is a recommended service life, dependent on the seat model. Generally, baby car seats can last between 6-10 years. While you can use your child’s car seat until they no longer fit, you should also make sure it meets the legal safety requirements. It’s worth noting that certain car seat materials like plastic can degrade over time.
But why do infant car seats expire? Everyday wear and tear and exposure to varying temperatures contribute to the degradation of the materials. Also, as manufacturers make new improvements, technological advancements may encourage parents to purchase an upgraded baby seat in order to provide the highest level of safety achievable.
5. DO install (and uninstall) their car seat correctly
There are two ways to safely connect your baby car seat into your car, using either the seatbelt or ISOFIX anchoring points. So, when you’re wondering what’s the difference between ISOFIX and non-ISOFIX, it’s simply down to using a seatbelt or not. Non-ISOFIX secures the car seat with a standard seat belt while ISOFIX has in-built mechanisms for safety.
But do all cars have ISOFIX? Since 2014, cars made in Europe have all been designed with the ISOFIX locking system in place. When considering which is safer between ISOFIX or a seat belt, rest assured that they both offer great stability and overall safety. However, ISOFIX rules out the space for human error and the risk of incorrect installation.
With our top tips, you’ll be able to maximise the safety potential of your child’s car seat for months and years to come. So, don’t take any risks when it comes to your baby and drive with peace of mind that they’re as safe as can be!
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