Child restraint systems

Injuries to children can be significantly reduced if they use a suitable child restraint. Child restraints come in a wide variety - baby seats, child seats, booster seats and booster cushions - and they must carry the United Nations "E" mark or BS "Kitemark". The latest version of the United Nations standard is ECE Regulation 44-03, and restraints which are approved to this version carry an approval number starting with '03'. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when fitting a child restraint.

From 18th September 2006 you must use the correct car seat for your child - download the pdf Law Leaflet (Adobe Acrobat - 502kb) from the Government's THINK! Road Safety website to see how the new law applies.

For a free child seat safety check contact the Community Safety Team 01452 753333 or fill in the attached contact form.

Before buying a child restraint you should try it in your car to make sure it can be fitted properly. A properly installed restraint should be firm, with no excessive forward or sideways movement, and the buckle of the seat belt should not rest on the frame.

Beware of old or second-hand baby and child restraints which may be damaged or worn-out and which may not have the correct fitting instructions.

Rear facing baby seats provide very high levels of protection and are generally safer than forward facing seats, but they should never be used where a front seat is protected by an airbag.

The appropriate restraint depends upon the weight, size and age of your child.
You should always refer to the packaging and manufacturers instructions for the suitability of the restraint for your child.

**WARNING**

NEVER use a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat of a car fitted with a passenger airbag unless the airbag has been de-activated manually or automatically. This is because the restraint will be too close to the dashboard and in a collision; the expanding airbag is liable to cause serious or fatal injury to the child.

Child seat

A child seat is a separately framed seat designed to be secured either by an adult seat belt through its frame, or by its own retention straps. The child is then restrained by the seat's integral harness, which has the advantage of being specifically designed for a child.

Remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions when fitting the restraint. A child seat can be forward or rear facing.

A child seat integral harness should include a 'crotch strap’, which will prevent the child from sliding out feet first under the belt in a collision.

Some baby seats can be converted into forward-facing child seats and may therefore be usable until your child is about four years old.

Booster seat

A booster seat raises and locates a child so that an adult seat belt can be used effectively. It incorporates slots to guide the adult seat belt straps around a child and must be used as instructed by the manufacturer. Both the booster seat and the child are restrained by the adult seat belt.

A booster seat is intended to be used with an adult lap-and-diagonal seat belt. It is not designed to be used with an adult lap belt.

Booster cushion

This is for a child who is too large for a child seat or booster seat. It is designed to raise a child so that the adult seat belt can be used. It must be used as instructed by the manufacturer.

Some booster cushions have guides to improve the position of the adult seat belt across the hips and shoulder.

Carrycots

Carrycots with restraint straps are not designed to withstand the considerable forces generated in a collision. A baby seat is safer and more convenient than a carrycot, although doctors may occasionally advise the use of carrycots, e.g. for premature babies. The best advice is that carrycots should be used only if the alternative is for a child to travel without any restraint at all.

Never put a child in the luggage space of hatchbacks or estate cars except in a restraint specifically designed for the purpose.