Child car seats are designed to protect your child in case of a crash. To choose the right one for your child and your car is very important but not as easy as you might think. Four out of five child car seats are not fitted correctly.
Not all child car seats fit all cars so it is vital to get the correct help when you choose and buy your child car seat. Go to a shop where they take the seat out to your car(s) to make sure it fits and where they show you how to fit it before you buy.
Always use the weight of the child to determine which type of child seat to use:
| Group | Type of seat | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Group 0+ | rear facing seat | birth – 13kgs (20lbs) |
| Group 1 | forward facing with harness | 9 – 18 kgs (20 – 40 lbs) |
| Group 2+3 | booster seat | 15 kgs – 36 kgs (2st 5 lbs – 6 st) |
Many children are being injured unnecessarily when they stop using booster seats too soon. Children are too small for seatbelts, a booster seat re-directs the belt so it fits the child properly, reducing injuries.
In a car or van you must use a child car seat until your child reaches 135cms in height (4ft 5”) or their 12th birthday, whichever they reach first.
More information on the child car seat law can be found on the Department for Transport’s website.
More information on child car seats, including travelling abroad, can be found on RoSPA’s website.
Your local road safety officer can also answer enquiries on 01753 475111.
For all enquiries please contact the Customer Service Centre
01753 475111
My Council
Landmark Place
High Street
Slough
opposite Slough Library
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