Make sure in-car child seats are properly fitted

In-car child seats must be properly fitted if they are to provide full protection for their occupants, warns the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF).

Which? has published a survey (Monday 4 June 2007) that reveals a number of child car seats available in the UK still do not offer enough protection.

Even the safest seat on the market will fail to offer full protection if it is fitted incorrectly.

Alec Murray, non-executive chairman of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF), commented: ‘For a child seat to fully protect its young occupant, it must be properly fitted, and the youngster must be firmly strapped in.’

When buying or installing child seats, there are a few things to remember:

always buy the right car seat for your child’s weight and physical development, checking for the British Standard Kitemark or the European standard approval

replace the seat as the child grows

have fixed seats fitted by a professional installer

check the seat is firm at all times, making sure before every journey

make sure that the harness is firm: you should only be able to get one or two fingers between the strap and the child’s chest

the RMI recommends that you do not use a second hand child seat

replace any seat that has previously been involved in an accident

if anyone else is driving your child, make sure they know how to fit the seat and monitor its use

if you hire a vehicle, double check the fitting

Child seats should not be installed in the front seat of a car if it is fitted with an airbag: ‘Never put a seat in the front unless the airbag can be deactivated,’ commented Murray.

Murray adds: ‘For advice on child seats contact your nearest RMIF member garage, or refer to the vehicle handbook.’