Until you’ve had a baby of your own, you might have cheerfully sneered at all those ‘Baby On Board’ stickers on the backs of cars. But things change don’t they? Within a few hours of having a baby, your whole worldview starts to shift. Having the responsibility for a child’s health, well being and happiness is an awesome leveller. Suddenly you realize what all the fuss was about!
Certainly the regulations governing how babies and children should be transported in a moving vehicle have developed to the point where as parents or grandparents, we can feel much happier about our children’s safety. These days we can’t let our shorter under-twelve year olds get in the car unless they’re properly belted up on their booster cushions. And, as a consequence, more young lives will be saved.
Before the regulations came into effect, thousands of young children were injured as passengers in road traffic accidents. In 2004 alone, 24 children up to the age of 11 tragically died. The September 2006 regulations on seat belts were implemented to reduce that number. Like we said; things change. Sometimes they change for the better.
We’ll look at the child car seat regulations in a lot more detail further on. Suffice to say, if you’re in any doubt, you’ll have a thorough understanding of the regulations and the implications for you, before you can say “burp the baby!”
Above all, this guide has been compiled to help set minds at rest. Caring for your baby’s safety is your primary concern. We’re here to make that job just a little bit easier. From baby seats, to booster seats (covering all the major brands) we’ll ensure you’re clued in and that your kids (big and small) are securely strapped in!
© Car Safety Seats.org.uk 2008