Which Size Do I Need?

THE LAW

Drivers now face a fixed £30 penalty or fine of up to £500 if they fail to comply with regulations on child seats in cars.

DID YOU KNOW.....

....that using adult seats for children under 135cm will put them at a higher risk of injury in comparison to using a purpose built child seat.

With the average child now travelling 5,000 miles per year in a car it is vital they are safe in the vehicle. It is important that you choose the right seat to meet your child's needs and requirements.

DON'T FORGET

Don't just consider your own car. Instead consider EVERY car that your child will travel in before choosing your child seat.

For example: grandparent's car, carer's car and so on.

Then for each car, ask yourself:

* Which seat provides the most secure fit in my car/s?

* Will the baby/child travel on mainly long or short journeys?

* Will we be moving the seat from one car to another?

WHAT IS ISOFIX?

ISOFIX is a worldwide standard fitting system that enables the child seat to be fitted directly into the car without using a seatbelt.

THE BENEFITS OF ISOFIX?

It provides a quick and easy way to correctly install an ISOFIX-approved child seat. This offers the safest and most reliable way to ensure a correct fit every time.

HOW ISOFIX WORKS?

There are discrete attachment points in standard locations. ISOFIX child seats have two arms on the back of the seat, which lock into the ISOFIX anchorage points in the car with a simple push.

WHY IS ISOFIX AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL CAR SEATS?

ISOFIX fittings remove the need to use the adult seatbelts to restrain the car seat. This significantly decreases the risk of the seat being badly fitted - a real issue in the UK where almost 70% of seats are fitted incorrectly.

IS MY CAR COMPATIBLE WITH THE ISOFIX BASE?

Many major car manufacturers from 2008 will start to fit ISOFIX as standard into new cars. Please refer to your owners manual.

FITTING ADVICE

Before you fit please check the following guidelines:

HEIGHT / AGE

Ensure that any child up to 135cms (4'5") or the age of 12 (whichever is reached first) travels in the appropriate child car seat or booster seat.

AIR-BAGS

Never use rear-facing baby seats in a seat fitted with a front air-bag.

INSTRUCTIONS

Always read and retain the manufacturers instructions and follow them carefully.

INTREGAL HARNESS

An integral harness should fit snugly with shoulder straps sitting just above the shoulders and the buckle section positioned as low as possible across the child's pelvis. You should be able to slide no more than two fingers between the harness and your child's collar bone.

BOOSTER SEAT

When using a booster seat always make sure the adult seat belt is properly positioned. The seat belt should sit against your child's collar bone and shoulder and should not cut across the neck or face or be positioned under the armpit.

BUCKLE

Check the position of the seat belt buckle to prevent 'buckle crunch' this is when the seat belt buckle is bending around the base of the car seat. This could result in a poor fit and the buckle could break or come undone in the event of an accident. You must make sure the fabric part of the seat belt is retaining the seat and not the buckle. With the fabric touching, the seat belt would stretch, so absorbing the impact.