You might have the best baby seat on the market, but if it’s not fitted properly, it’s useless. The sobering truth is that too many mothers and fathers just don’t know how to fit their baby seats and child seats properly. The figure could be as much as 70% according to some sources. After all, it’s not as if they teach these things...
Don’t worry, if you don’t know how to fit a baby seat, or even if you’re not entirely sure, you’ll soon get the knack of it. And when you have, you’ll be able to fit baby seats as easily as tie your shoelaces (or your child’s shoelaces).
First, get acquainted with the regulations. Remember that babies and toddlers up to the age of 12 months need to be safely secured in a rear facing baby seat (on the back seat is best). Never, ever install your baby seat in the front of the car if it is fitted with side impact airbags.
As regards the actual fitting, always consult the manufacturer’s instructions. (Contact the manufacturer and ask them to send a replacement set if necessary; they’ll happily oblige.) Although there are inevitable variations in fitting child car seats properly, the same basic principles apply.
Make sure the seatbelt can pass unobstructed through the baby or child seat guides. Exert your weight on the child seat whilst tightening the seatbelt securely. If there is any slack in the seatbelt, start again. Try to ensure that the seat is securely fastened, and that there is little or no movement, forwards or sideways. You must also ensure that the seatbelt buckle is not in contact with the frame of the baby seat which may lead to ‘buckle crunch’ (which affects the structural integrity of the buckle fastening.)
If you’re fitting a forward facing child seat, please ensure that the passenger seat is pushed back as far as it will go. This ensures that, in the event of an accident, the baby or child is as far away from the dashboard as he or she can be.
If in doubt, ask. Ask parents, ask friends; ask the manufacturers. Just ask. You’ll be glad you did!
© Car Safety Seats.org.uk 2008
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