Back to School Car Safety: Advice for Every Age and Stage
As the Summer begins to wind down and the back-to-school season approaches, it's the perfect time to revisit car safety for your little ones.
Whether you are a new parent or a seasoned pro, ensuring that your child is safely secured in the car is something that should not be overlooked. When it comes to your child's safety on the road, nothing is more important than the right car seat. Proper use of car seats can significantly reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Here, we will discuss rear-facing car seats, front-facing car seats and booster seats, highlighting the features and benefits of each to help you make an informed decision. Whether it’s the school commute or a family road trip, make sure you have the correct seat in place and installed correctly.
Choosing the Right Car Seat for your little one.
Rear facing car seats would include all Group 0 Infant Carriers, next stage Group 1 seats which can rotate rearward and forward plus all Extended Rearfacing seats, these all provide the best protection and support for your little one. They are designed to safeguard children by providing a secure shield for their back, head, neck and spine should a collision occur. It is crucial to ensure that whichever model you choose fits snugly in your vehicle and is correctly installed. Many models come equipped with an adjustable base which you can turn or swivel to allow you to easily place baby in and take out of the seat. Keep an eye out for removable covers which can be taken off and washed if (and when!) needed.
In Infant Carriers the team here at Baby Accessories love the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro and everything it offers to make life easier for you! Top features that have inspired this love include the one-hand rotation and SlideTech – their revolutionary sliding car seat technology that allows you to lock, slide, spin and go. No more backaches or banging your head off the car! It also offers three recline positions (including a full lie-flat position) which can be used in the car and attached on a pushchair for naps on the go.
https://www.babyaccessories.ie/product/maxi-cosi-pebble-360-pro-essential-graphite
In Group 1 rearfacing seats we have an array of 360 Rotating seats that will keep your little one rearward for the optimal time period and also allow you the flexibility to swivel forward facing towards the later stages of usable period. The Joie iSpin 360 is a very competitively priced seat in this category and the Maxi Cosi Mica Pro Eco is another which we have great success with loving the spring up belts, the breathable mesh fabrics and the Gcel side impact protection.
Remember, it is illegal to place a rearward-facing child car seat in the front of the car where there is an active airbag. An airbag which opens in front of a rearward-facing child car seat can cause serious injury or even death if there is a collision.
Forward facing car seats are suitable for growing toddlers and children who have outgrown their rear facing seats or where the arrival of sibling calls for the progression to a next stage seat. These types of car seats offer unrivalled side, rear and neck protection.
The Joie iBold R129 iSize Car Seat is tested suitable for 15 months up to 12 years old. This model is designed for long term use, we would predominantly target this seat for a child above 2years as it can only be installed forward-facing however it offers great flexibility as the child grows. The internal harness can be used up until your child is 22kg which gives additional coverage before moving onto high back booster stage.
https://www.babyaccessories.ie/product/joie-ibold-isize-gr123-r129-car-seat-shale
High back booster seats
Once your child outgrows their forward-facing car seat, it’s time to transition to a booster seat. High back booster seats are a fantastic option for kids who are ready for the next step upwards in car seats, but are still too young for a booster seat . They offer unrivaled side-impact protection, height adjusted shoulder belt and will keep your child comfortable and happy on longer road trips.
There are a number of high back booster seats which are ideal as they literally grow with the child and allow you to use the vehicle's seat belt to fit safely and comfortably. These seats are typically suitable from 4 years up to approx 12 years old, depending on the model and weight restrictions. Many models also provide additional head and neck support and side-impact protection for added safety.
The Cybex Solution S2 is a great model and provides the perfect fit at every stage, from 3 to 12 years old. This one also features a reclining headrest to keep your sleeping child’s head in a protected position, cocooned by the seat’s head and shoulder protectors.
The Maxi Cosi Rodifix Pro2 is a really space efficient High Back Booster which has excellent side impact protection, adjustable recline positions and breathable mesh fabrics to prevent your child getting too sweaty in the car.
https://www.babyaccessories.ie/search/rodifix%20Pro2
Backless Booster Seats
Backless booster seats are suitable for older children who have outgrown their front facing seats. A child should be at least 125cm in height and weigh at least 25kg before they can use a backless booster restraint system.
This type of seat raises your child to a height where the car’s seat belt fits correctly, however you do forgoe the side impact protection and belt positioning that a high back booster offers.. Their simple installation and portability make booster seats a hassle-free choice for families needing additional seats for occasional use. The Osann Junior Isofix Booster Cushion is mounted with the Isofix system or the 3-point harness of the car and offers the older child secure support and comfort.
https://www.babyaccessories.ie/product/osann-junior-isofix-booster-cushion-shadow
Correct Fitting of Car Seats
The Road Safety Authority reported last year that over half of child car seats are incorrectly fitted and need some kind of adjustments to make them safe. We take safety and comfort to be of equal importance when purchasing your child's car seat. Do take time to tell us what you are driving, and we will be happy to advise on the best options.
What the law says
By law, a child must use the correct child seat or booster seat for their height and weight when travelling in a car, van, truck if they are under 150cm in height or weigh less than 36kg.
A child’s age is not the best indicator for choosing a suitable car seat. Height and weight are the criteria used. Children should be protected properly by law, when traveling in Irish cars. 40-75cm babies (usually birth to 15 months) will use a rearward facing car seat. The best value in these will be in the complete transport systems. At 76cm high to 105cm (or about 15 months to 4 years) rearward or forward facing will be used. For 105-150cm height ( or 3.5 to 12 years) suitable forward facing high back booster seats should be used.
So, when your older child is demanding to sit in the front, without a child restraint system or car seat, you can tell them that the law states they need to be 150cm high or over 14 yrs of age. There is no law against children sitting in the front seat, as long as they are using the right child restraint for their height and weight.
Selecting the right car seat is vital for your child's safety and comfort. Start with a rear-facing car seat for infants, transition to a front-facing car seat for toddlers and finally, a booster seat for older children. If you need any assistance or advice on car seats or booster seat, feel free to contact us today!
