Child Car Seats - How to choose the right one A properly installed car seat can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by as much as 71 per cent. You should always make sure your child is safe and secure, and is buckled up right. Children under 13 years of age are safest in the back seat away from all active air bags and it is mandatory for anyone transporting children to make sure they are properly secured in a child car seat or booster seat. Failing to do so may result in a fine and points on your driving licence. Newborn babies and infants require special protection while in a vehicle. In a collision, properly installed rear-facing car seats can save your child"s life. Infant car seats should face the back of the vehicle, rest on a 45-degree angle and move no more than 2.5 cm (1 in.) side-to-side or forward at the base. If necessary, use a towel or a foam bar under the base of the child car seat to adjust the angle. Harness straps should be slotted at or below a baby"s shoulders. You should not be able to fit more than one finger underneath the harness straps at the child"s collarbone and the chest clip should be flat against the chest at armpit level. When the child outgrows the maximum height and weight of his/her infant seat, you may require a convertible rear-facing seat until your child is ready to be facing forward. It’s best to keep your child rear-facing until they are at least one year old or until they have reached either the maximum height or weight limits of the rear-facing seat. All forward-facing car seats must use a tether strap. If your vehicle does not have a tether anchor in place, contact a dealership to have one installed. To prevent the car seat from moving forward and causing injury in a collision, it is important to use the tether strap exactly as the manufacturer recommends. To install a forward-facing car seat, fasten the tether strap, then use your body weight to tighten and fasten the seatbelt or anchorage point. You should also ensure that the shoulder straps are at or above the child"s shoulders. Straps should be snug, with only one finger width between the strap and the child"s chest. Avoid using aftermarket car seat products. Booster seats are required for children under the age of eight, weighing 18 kg or more but less than 36 kg (40-80 lbs) and who stand less than 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) tall. A lap and shoulder combination belt must be used with all booster seats. Your child’s head must be supported by the top of the booster, vehicle seat or headrest. The shoulder strap must lie across the child’s shoulder (not the neck or face) and middle of the chest, and the lap belt must cross low over the hips (not the stomach/abdomen). You should avoid using seatbelt adjusters. A child can be considered for using a seatbelt alone once the child weighs approximately 36 kg (80 lbs and is 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) tall. The most important thing to do, if you are in any doubt about any of the above is to seek expert advice. Before purchasing, speak to a knowledgeable sales representative from a respectable company, or contact your car manufacturer’s main dealer for guidance on what system will best support your child. |
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