The Automobile Association has issued a stark warning to parents to make sure that their children are properly belted in to properly fitted car seats.
"According to the Road Safety Authority, about three out of every four child car seats are not fitted properly and this is extremely serious" says Conor Faughnan Director of Consumer Affairs at The AA. "If there is a crash this can lead to really serious injuries or even death. The problem is most parents or minders don't know they're putting the car seat in wrong."
Under EU child safety protection laws, drivers must ensure that all passengers under the age of 17 use the correct seatbelt, seat, booster seat or booster cushion. Remember though, to use the seat appropriately depending on the age of the child. Only buy online from a well-known and reputable retailer. Only buy second-hand from a trusted friend or family member so you know its history. It's best to buy child car seats in a local retailer so they can help you choose the right one and they can show you how to fit it. Quite apart from the safety aspect, if your kids aren't belted in properly, you could be liable to a fine or penalty points if stopped at a Garda checkpoint.
The AA is recommending that when buying a seat, you ask the shop assistant for help choosing the correct one for your child. Make sure they also show you how to fit the car seat and allow you to practice.
Depending on your car, the seat may be fitted to a set of sockets in the car (the Isofix system), or you may need to use the adult seat belts to secure the child seat. You will need to practice strapping the seat in to make sure that you can do so correctly every single time. Make sure you try the seat in every seating position so you can be sure the seatbelt is long enough. Once you've bought a seat, you should register your car seat online if you have that option. This means that you will be contacted by the manufacturer if the model is recalled. It makes it easier to get refunds, replacements or repairs. Always read the instructions before fitting the car seat. Thinking you know what you're doing, is not the same as actually knowing what you're doing. There is better protection for a baby's head, neck and spine in rearward-facing seats rather than forward-facing seats, so keep your baby in a rearward-facing seat for as long as possible.
Once they have exceeded the maximum weight or height for the baby seat then you will have to move them to a forward-facing seat. A car seat that is insufficiently reclined may also be harmful as the baby's head will flop forward. However, never tilt the car seat more than 45 degrees back to prevent submarining. Never use blankets towels or other padding under or behind the baby. Put the shoulder straps in the lowest possible position, either at the baby's shoulders or below them. Under EU child protection laws, rearward-facing child car seats are not allowed in the front passenger seat where there is an active airbag as the child's head is too close to it. If you have to move the child car seat into a different car you will need to make sure that it is secure each time.
Anything else?
The good news is that getting all of these things right isn't hard. You just need to make sure that you pay attention at the time of purchase so that you know how to correctly fit both the seat to the car and the kid to the seat. If you buy from a reputable outlet, such as Halfords or Mothercare, there will be someone on hand to help you understand all the options and instruct you on fitting.
If you have any questions about child seat choice or the legislation, feel free to send the CompleteCar.ie team a message.