Tel: 023 9282 2251
Child car seats
Last updated: 14 July 2010 17:00 UKProtecting your little superhero
Did you know that in a crash at 30mph your body would be thrown forward with a force 40-60 times your own weight? Even a superbaby couldn't withstand this.
Children are still killed in car accidents because they are not properly restrained. You can best protect your children by putting them in a properly fitted seat which is appropriate for their weight and size.
We are holding 6 free events this year to check and fit child car seats so come along and make sure yours is super safe. We also have some super videos on the right hand side of the page which explain the different classes of seat.
Each event runs from 10am-3.30pm in the car park of one of the city's major supermarkets. There are free booklets and stickers for kids and leaflets for parents.
NEW DATES ADDED!
- 31 July (9-3): Sainsbury's, Farlington
- 7 August (9-3): Asda, Fratton
- 9 September: Sainsbury's, Farlington
- 15 September (9-3): Sainsbury's, Farlington
- 2 October (9-3): Asda, Fratton
- 7 October: Morrisons, Eastern Road
Last year we had a 90% fail rate on the seats that we checked. Most were fitted incorrectly but many were incompatible with the model of car.
This could be because parents had changed cars and not checked to see that the seat would fit correctly or, as in many cases, the store had sold an incompatible seat for the car. This is not unheard of even with big stores ,so we would strongly advise you to come along to the dates above.
Check out the fit-finder websites for all major seat manufacturers on the right hand side of the page.
Car seat and groups
- Baby seat: rear facing, must never be used in a passenger seat with active front airbag, for babies up to 13kg age from birth to 9-12 months
- Child seat: forward or rearward facing, it's safer to keep a child rearward facing as long as possible, for children 9-12kg age from 9 months to 4 years
- Booster seat: forward facing, for children 15kg and over age from 4 years
- Booster cushion: forward facing, for children 22kg and over age from 6 years
Please note that car seats are also manufactured to cover several weight ranges, check the packaging or label on the car seat.
A guide to your responsibility as a driver
Visit Directgov for full details about seatbealts, child seats and the law.
Some do's and don’ts relating to seat belts
Do...
- Make sure that children under 3 years use an appropriate child restraint, refer to above table
- Ensure that all available restraints are in use. Restrained in the back is best, but restrained in the front is better than no restraint at all
- Use the appropriate seat for the weight of your child and children don’t play with the fastenings
- Always wear a restraint, even on the shortest journeys
- Ensure the lap part of the belt is positioned as low as possible over the hips, not across the soft stomach area, and is pulled tight
- Check before buying a child seat that it will fit your car, not all will
- Remember that pregnant women can still wear seat belts safely, if worn correctly
- Remember it is the responsibility of the driver to ensure children under 14 are wearing a suitable restraint
Don't...
- Allow a child to sit on an adult’s lap, even if the adult is restrained - you would never be able to hold onto them in a 30mph crash
- Allow two people to use the same restraint
- Allow an adult belt to pass across a child’s neck
- Put a rear facing child seat in a front seat with a passenger airbag
- Use an ordinary cushion to raise a child using an adult restraint
Our road safety and sustainable travel team can offer advice and resources on fitting a child car seat. Contact us on 023 9268 8262 for details.
