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New regulations came into force on 18th September 2006
concerning carrying children safely, and legally, in cars, vans and
commercial vehicles.
From that date, with very few exceptions, children under 135cm
(approximately 4' 5") must be carried in an appropriate safety seat
for their weight until they reach the age of 12.
Failure to comply carries a £30 fixed penalty or if taken to
court the maximum fine is £500.
Child car seats need to be suitable for the age and weight of
the child being carried, and they need to be installed
correctly.
Fitting problems include:
- seats which do not sit firmly on the car seat, allowing too
much movement
- won't take the regular seat belt around them
- do not fit at a safe angle for a newborn child
A poorly fitting seat or one which is difficult to use may not
offer the best protection. Here are some rules to help you choose
and fit a car seat safely:
Try before you buy
All newborn babies up to approximately nine months must be
facing towards the rear in their car seats. This provides the best
protection for the head, neck and spine. Insist on having the car
seat tried in your car by staff that have been trained by the
manufacturer.
The safest place is in the back
The centre position furthest from any possible impact is best,
but not all cars have lap and diagonal belts in the centre, and few
have a flat base for the seat. Do not use a rear-facing seat in the
front if an airbag is fitted and cannot be turned off.
Be cautious about deals
'Cheap deals' and 'too good to miss' offers usually mean that
the seat is about to be upgraded by the manufacturer. The new model
may look similar, but it will generally be safer. Make sure that
you buy the latest model.
Keep your child facing towards the rear as long as
possible
This position offers the best protection. Only move them to a
forward facing seat once they have exceeded the maximum weight for
the seat, or their head is higher than the top of the child
seat.
Look for side impact protection
Look for seats that provide additional 'side impact protection'
for your baby's head.
Use the crotch pad
Always use the crotch pad, if fitted, to give protection and if
the strap appears too tight, too low or too thin. This helps to
protect a sensitive area.
Enjoy your outings with your baby, but always stop to deal with any
crying from the back. It's much safer than having the baby beside
you in the front, and trying to tend to the baby and drive at the
same time.
Get your baby used to travelling in the back and they may never ask
to go in the front when they are bigger.
ISOFix
Many cars are now equipped with ISOFix anchorage points, which
allow seats to be secured safely to the main structure of the car
helping to minimise the risk of poor or incorrect seat
installation.
Remember
In an average year in Great Britain around 750 children under
the age of 12 are killed or seriously injured as passengers in
cars.
For more information go to the:
child
car seats website (link opens in a new
window). |