Child Restraint Systems

• Standards
• Child Restraint Groups
• Other Facts

Injuries to children can be significantly reduced if they use a suitable child restraint.

Make sure your child restraint is properly fitted every time you use it.  Before buying a child restraint you should try it in your car to make sure it can be fitted properly. Ask the seller to demonstrate how to use it. A properly installed restraint must fit tightly into the adult seat – push your weight against it while tightening the adult seat belt. The seat belt buckle should not rest on the restraint frame.

Do not use old or second hand child restraints they may be damaged or worn and may not provide the most up to date protection.

For further help with choosing a child restraint take a look at the Britax web site.

Standards

Consumer Protection Act 1987 - Legislation requires child restraints to be safe and fit for their purpose.  Child restraints are subject to the General Product Safety Regulations 1994 stating that they must under foreseeable conditions of use, present only the minimum risks compatible with the products use, taking into account the characteristics of the product, including the instructions for assembly and maintenance.

Child Restraints must carry the United Nations “E” mark or an approved number starting with 03. Only very old restraints will have a BS Kitemark.  These cannot be used after May 2008.

The latest version of the United Nations standard is ECE Regulation 44 – 03.

This is the European standard that covers all child restraints:

• BSAU 202 or BSAU 202A rearward facing baby carriers
• BS 3254 forward facing child seats
• BS 3254 forward facing child seat/ booster
• BSAU 185 booster seats.

Child Restraint Groups

1. Group 0+ - Baby Seat
   Up to 13kgs (from birth to 9-12 months)
   (Up to 29lbs)
   
   A rear facing seat which can be used in the front or rear of the car
   Never use on passenger seats fitted with an airbag
   
   
2. Group 0 – Baby Seat
   Birth to 10kg (Approx. Birth to 6-9 months)
   (Up to 22lbs)
   
   A rearward facing seat which can be used in the front or rear of the car.
   Never use on passenger seat fitted with an airbag.
   
   
3. Group 1 – Child Seat
   Approximately 9 months to 4 years
   9-18kgs (20-40lbs)
   
   A forward facing seat which can be used in the front or rear of the car.
   These seats sometimes have a reclining function. Never use on passenger seat fitted with an airbag.
   
   
4. Group 0+ and 1 – Child Seat
   Birth to 4 years of age
   Birth to 18kgs (40lbs)
   
   A rearward and forward facing seat.  This group of seat will nearly always have a reclining function.  Never use on passenger seat fitted with an airbag.
   
   
5. Groups 1 and 2 – Booster Seat
   9 months to 6 years
   9 – 25kg  (20-55lbs)
   
   A forward facing seat or booster which can be used in the front or rear of the car. The booster seat lifts the child and positions the adult lap and diagonal seatbelt correctly.  This group of seat is designed for a very wide weight range. Uses seats safety harness for children between 15kg and 25kg (4-6 years).  Never use on passenger seat fitted with an airbag.
   
   
6. Groups 1, 2 and 3 – Booster Seat
   From 9 months to 11 years
   9 – 36kg (20 – 80lbs)
   
   Fits in the front or rear of the vehicle with three point seat belt. The backrest separates from the seat to provide a booster from 15kg – 36kg (33 – 80lbs).  Never use on passenger seat fitted with an airbag.
   
   Booster Cushion
   15kgs to 36kgs (30-80lbs)
   4 years to 11 years
   
   Booster seats are designed to position the lap section of the seat belt correctly over the child's thighs.  Booster seats are to protect the iliac crest in the event of a collision. Never use on passenger seat fitted with an airbag.
   
   Not all booster seats are for use with a lap belt. Should be used by older children under 150cms in height. This is so the straps of the adult belt fit properly across the chest and hips.

For a complete guide to How to fit a Child's Car Seat please look on the DFT website or order a leaflet from our Resources page. Also check out our latest news for Child Car Seat checking days happening around the bay.

Special Needs

Few car seat manufacturers offer child car seats for special needs children.  These car seats have been designed to have harnesses with a higher weight restriction.  Ordinary car seats should never be used if the child exceeds the weight limit.

Other Facts

Weight
When fitting car seats always check the weight of the child.  It is the weight that is important rather than age as this is the way the seat is tested.  Ages should only be used as a guide.  Never be tempted to place a child forward facing until he/she reaches the correct weight for the car seat chosen. This will usually be between 9 –13 kg.

Fitting guidelines
Ensure seat belts are correctly routed.  Most car seats are now colour coded. Red labels for forward facing routing and Blue labels for the rearward facing routing.  Check for any damage to the seat belt itself for example mould or mildew, splits, tares, fraying or broken buckles.  Make sure the harness is correctly adjusted – only two fingers should fit between the child's chest and harness.  Keep the fitting instructions in the car.

Side Impact Protection
In the infant carrier range - group 0+, birth to 13kg (birth to approximately 9-12 months) - some leading manufacturers are now offering extra side impact protection with deep side wings and extra padding.

Side Impact Protection is being used as recent statistics show that round one in four accident's involves a side impact. In a front or rear impact crash the occupants are protected by the crumple zones, engine-bay or boot so the point of impact is further away from the occupant. In a side impact crash the point of impact is much closer. During a crash the windows may shatter throwing glass around the car and the door or side panels may be distorted and intrude upon the space occupied by the child. The movement of the child is also different in a side impact. Rather than just backward and forward movement the body will experience a great deal of lateral movement which needs to be absorbed and controlled. the head must be prevented from moving sideways too sharply and the body needs to be kept within the seat where deep side wings will give protection.

ISOFIX
ISOFIX stands for International Standards Organisation FIX. It is a method of fitting child seats into cars simply and quickly. ISOFIX points are fixed point in a car to which you can simply plug an ISOFIX child seat.

ISOFIX seat look almost the same as existing seats, although it will have two latches that slot and lock into the cars ISOFIX points. It may also have a support leg or an upper tether strap that will fix into another point in the car.

The Britax Duo ISOFIX seat has been approved for use in over 80 vehicles. It considerably reduces installation problems and optimises protection by means of rigid connection between child car seat and the car. If you would like to see if your vehicle is compatible you can find further information at www.britax.co.uk/isofix

Second hand car seats
We would never recommend a second hand car seat.  28% of all car seats sold are second hand.  Consider the following before you purchase:

• You can never be certain of it's history or how it has been used/stored
• It is possible it could have been involved in a collision
• The seat may have invisible damage
• Fitting instructions may be lost or incorrect for that car seat.

Unsecured Items
Loose items inside a vehicle often cause serious injury.  These items often include boxes of tissues placed on the parcel shelf, crook locks, toys, tapes and cds, magazines.  All items unsecured become missiles in moving vehicles.

For more information on seat belts and child restraints please see our external links and our resources page.

For further information and advice on child restraint systems please contact us.