Increase your child’s safety: Everything you need to know about car seats

You will want to keep your little one as safe as possible in the car - and the safest way to do this is ensure that they have a child car seat that is suitable for their weight and size, and that it is correctly fitted in the car.

There are several laws regarding car seats (all of which can be found on www.gov.uk), which we have summarised for you below:

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WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD USE A CAR SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT?

Children must normally use a child car seat or booster cushion until they’re 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first.

You can choose a child car seat based on your child’s height or weight.

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TELL ME MORE ABOUT WEIGHT-BASED CAR SEATS

Your baby will need to be in a rear-facing car seat until they weigh more than 9kg.

However, there's no need to move him to a new seat as soon as he reaches this weight. In fact, it's safest for him to stay rear-facing for as long as possible.

You only need a new seat when the top of your baby's head is level with the top of the seat.

Which seat they use after this will depend on their weight:

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TELL ME MORE ABOUT HEIGHT-BASED CAR SEATS

Height-based car seats are known as ‘i-Size’ seats - you can find out more about these here http://www.maxi-cosi.com/car-seats/car-seat-safety/car-seat-laws-and-regulations/what-is-i-size.aspx.

Offering improved head and neck protection, i-Size seats MUST, according to EU laws, be rear-facing until your child is over 15 months old.

Your child can use a forward-facing car seat when they’re over 15 months old.

**REMEMBER: You must check the seat to make sure it’s suitable for the height of your child.

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WHEN CAN A CAR SEAT NOT BE FITTED?

You must:

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WHEN CAN MY CHILD USE A BOOSTER CUSHION?

You can switch from a car seat to a booster seat when your child has topped the highest weight — over 22kg — or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

Remember: Your child is safest remaining in a car seat with a harness for as long as possible.

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**CAN I USE A BOOSTER SEAT WITH A LAP BELT?

Booster seats must be used with a lap and shoulder belt — never a lap-only belt. Make sure the lap belt lies low and snug across your child's upper thighs and that the shoulder belt crosses the middle of your child's chest and shoulder.

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WHEN IS MY CHILD OLD ENOUGH TO USE AN ADULT SEAT BELT?

When children are old enough and large enough for the vehicle seat belt to fit them correctly.

An adult seat belt fits correctly when:

They should always use Lap and Shoulder Seat Belts for optimal protection - and they should NEVER tuck the shoulder belt under his or her arm.

All children younger than 13 years should be restrained in the rear seats of vehicles for optimal protection.

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ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS?

Children, as a rule, should travel in a car seat until they are 12-years-old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first.

However there ARE some exceptions to the rule.

Children under the age of three

Children under the age of three can sit with you in the back seat of a taxi if you don't have your car seat with you.

At all other times, your little one will need to be in their car seat, even for short journeys.

Children aged three and over, who are less than 135cm tall and under 12- years-old

Children who meet the above requirements can only travel in the back of a car using an adult seatbelt if:

IS IT SAFE TO USE A SECOND-HAND CAR SEAT?

The best advice is not to use a second-hand child seat, as the instructions are usually missing and you cannot be certain of its history.

However, if you must buy one second-hand, only accept one from a family member or friend (never buy one from a second-hand shop or through the classified ads) and then only if you are absolutely certain that you know its history, it comes with the original instructions and it is not too old.

Before you agree to accept the seat, you should:

WHAT HAPPENS IF I BREAK THE LAW?

Not only will you be putting your child in unnecessary danger, but you could also be fined.

Find out more over at www.gov.uk now.