Q: Does my child have to be in the child seat’s weight range? A: Yes, if you are using a child seat that conforms to the R44 standard. These are designed for children within specific weight ranges. If a child is too big for their child seat, it will not protect them properly and may even injure them in a crash.
- They will also be uncomfortable in the seat.
- If a child is too small, they may slip under the seat belt or harness (‘submarine’) and thrown about inside the vehicle, or even thrown out of it, in a crash, or the seat belt may injure them.
- However, if you are using an i-size seat, these are based on a child’s height, rather than weight, so you need to check that your child is within the height range specified for the seat.
Rearward-facing i-size seats are designed for children up to at least 15 months old. Forward-facing i-size seats are being developed. Always make sure that your child is the right size and weight for the seat they are using. Do not be tempted to put a child in a restraint that is too big for them on the grounds that they will grow into it.
Q: Is it okay if my child seat is loose? A: No. One of the most common fitting mistakes is to leave the child seat held loosely by the seat belt. If it is not held securely, it will be thrown forwards in a crash and the child may be injured. Make sure that the seat has been fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If possible, use an Isofix seat or an i-size seat that is approved for your car as it will be easier to fit and will be more secure. If the child seat is secured by the car’s seat belts, check that the seat belt has been fitted through the correct route guides on the child seat (blue for rearward-facing and red for forward-facing) and that it has been pulled tight.
- Many seats have a lock-off device to prevent the seat belt slipping once it has been tightened – make sure this is in the lock position.
- Check that the child seat rests on the car seat properly.
- If you cannot fit it securely, check with the child seat and car manufacturers that the child seat is suitable for your car.
If not, use a different child seat (or car) that is compatible. Q: What do I do if my child seat does not rest properly on the car seat? A: The shape of car seats varies between different models. For instance, some rear seats curl up at the sides, the length of the cushion differs.
And the size and shape of the base of child seats differ. Therefore, some child seats will not fit certain car models. If your child seat cannot rest properly on the car seat, it will be difficult to hold the child seat securely. You may need to replace the child seat with one that will rest squarely on the child seat.
Check with the child seat and car manufacturers that the child seat is suitable for your car. Try the child seat in other positions in the car to see if there is a better fit. If not, use a different child seat (or car) that is compatible. Q: What do I do if the seat belt will not go around my child seat? A: The length of seat belts differs between cars, and some child car seats are bigger than others.
Can a baby sit in the front seat of a car?
Position 1: Front Passenger Seat – It is safer for your children to travel in the rear seats than the front. Some parents like to be able to keep an eye on their baby or child and so put them in the front. But, they are safer in the rear, and remember, if you are trying to drive and look after a child at the same time, you will be distracted and more likely to crash.
If a baby or child needs to be monitored, for health reasons for example, ask another adult to ride with them in the rear. NEVER put a rearward-facing baby seat in the front if there is an active passenger airbag. It is illegal and dangerous to do so, because if the airbag goes off, it will hit the baby seat and fling it forward with considerable force.
If the car does not have airbags in the front, or if they can be deactivated, or if the car has sensors which switches the airbag off automatically when you fit a child seat, then you can legally carry a rearward facing baby seat in the front. However, it is still better to fit it in the rear.
How do I choose a car seat for my child?
Position 1: Front Passenger Seat – It is safer for your children to travel in the rear seats than the front. Some parents like to be able to keep an eye on their baby or child and so put them in the front. But, they are safer in the rear, and remember, if you are trying to drive and look after a child at the same time, you will be distracted and more likely to crash.
If a baby or child needs to be monitored, for health reasons for example, ask another adult to ride with them in the rear. NEVER put a rearward-facing baby seat in the front if there is an active passenger airbag. It is illegal and dangerous to do so, because if the airbag goes off, it will hit the baby seat and fling it forward with considerable force.
If the car does not have airbags in the front, or if they can be deactivated, or if the car has sensors which switches the airbag off automatically when you fit a child seat, then you can legally carry a rearward facing baby seat in the front. However, it is still better to fit it in the rear.
