Six things parents need to know about child car seats
Capsule, ISOFIX, booster, forward-facing, rear-facing...there's a lot to know about child seats for your car.Rewind 10 years ago when I stood eyes wide and mouth gaping in front of the car seat section at my local Baby Bunting, I was perplexed. I had no clue even where to begin in the process of choosing the right car seat for my first child.
Now as she sits in an adult restraint, no longer needing a booster seat, I feel like I have graduated from Car Seat School. So, with this knowledge (and that from the actual experts) here are six things parents need to know about child car seats and when you require which type.
There is more than one type of car seat/restraint
RACV Policy Lead – Safety, Ms Elvira Lazar tells carsales that the four types of restraints available include:
- Rearward-facing restraints/baby capsules
- Forward-facing restraints
- Booster seats
- Adult seatbelts
While this may seem obvious to some, understanding the different types and products can save you time and money. Lazar says that parents need to choose one that suits their needs and budget.
“For example, capsules for babies might be convenient but can’t be used for a long time. A rearward to forward convertible restraint can be used until children are ready to travel in a booster seat.”
The type of restraint you use changes as they grow
Lazar explains that “choosing the right restraint largely depends on the age and size of your child. A child should remain in a particular restraint until they’ve outgrown it.”
For this, every Australian state and territory has the same laws, which require that:
- Babies under 6 months must use a rearward-facing restraint
- Children 6 months to 4 years must use a rearward restraint rather than a forward-facing restraint once they are too big for the rearward restraint
- Children 4 to 7 years must use a forward-facing restraint and then a booster seat (with a seatbelt or built-in harness) when they are too big for the forward-facing mode
- Children over 7 must use a booster seat until they’ve outgrown it; they can then use an adult seatbelt when they can pass the 5-step test.
The 5-step test helps you determine if your child has outgrown their booster seat.
- Back is flat against the seat back
- Knees bend over the seat edge
- Seatbelt sits across the middle of the child’s shoulder
- Seatbelts sit low across hips and touches thighs
- Child can sit comfortably for the whole trip
“This test is extremely critical to child safety says Derek McCormack Director of the Raising Children Network because although by law, children aged seven years and older can use adult seatbelts most are too small for one.
“Many children aren’t big enough to safely wear an adult seatbelt until they’re 10 to 12 years old. Children aren’t ready to use adult seatbelts until they are 145cm tall,” he explains.
You need to get the installation right!
While different states across Australia have different requirements around who can install your car seat Kidsafe “would recommend the use of an accredited restraint fitting station where you can have your car seat professionally fitted so that you can have peace of mind that it has been installed to the manufacturers’ specifications.”
“If accredited fitters are not available where you live, all restraints come with detailed instructions on how to install, use and adjust your restraint.”
Make sure you choose a seat that meets the Australian Standard (not all do)
Lazar says that only buy and use restraints that meet the Australian Standard.
“A sticker will show that it meets the AS/NZS 1754 standard. It’s illegal to use overseas models and unsafe to use models over 10 years old.”
If you buy a second-hand restraint, there are important guidelines to follow.
Kidsafe explains some important guidelines to follow if purchasing and using a second-hand restraint. Never use a restraint that has been in a vehicle crash even if the child wasn’t in the seat.
“The restraint has already been subjected to crash forces and may not be able to perform adequately to protect your little one if used in a subsequent crash.”
Often second-hand restraints may not come with all their parts (including the instruction manual), making it difficult to know if you have installed and are using them correctly.
Most manufacturers also recommend that restraints older than 10 years should not be used as they deteriorate with time and may not perform to the best of their ability to protect your little one if they were subjected to crash forces.
Related: How to correctly install a baby seat
Related: FAQ: ISOFIX
Related: Genius travel hacks to keep your kids entertained when driving
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