Having a child and not knowing which direction to go when choosing a car seat can be a difficult one, especially when it comes to choosing one for maximum safety.

The month of September also focuses on car safety, known as Car Seat Safety Month, and places emphasis on the importance of choosing the safest way for your child to travel with you in a vehicle.

Child Passenger Safety Week runs internationally from 17 to 23 September. OFM News spoke to Debbie Billson from Maxi-Cosi to find out the best options for your baby.

How to choose the right car seat

• Height and weight are more important than age, there are two different regulations in car seats: i-Size (or UN R129) and ECE R44/04 car seats. Ii-Size uses the length of children to classify car seats, and ECE R44/04 uses weight to divide car seats into groups.
• The car expert says: “Which seat provides the most secure fit in your car; whether your baby or child will be taking long or short journeys? If you need to transfer your child's car seat from one car to another, as well as what’s most convenient for you as a parent. My top tip would be to opt for a seat that fits onto a base. Once it’s in securely, you’re guaranteed peace of mind your little one is safe, and the seat simply clicks in and out with ease, perfect for busy parents.”

Tips on how to safely install a car seat 

• Firstly, there is the standard 3-point seatbelt in a vehicle, and then since 2013, ISOFIX connection. ISOFIX is not necessarily safer but it does eliminate human error when installing a car seat. One cannot expect a car seat to perform at its optimal level in the event of an accident if it is not installed properly.
• All car seats come with a manual on how to install a seat as well as routing guidance on the side of the seat. Please take the time to read through this and make sure you have installed the seat correctly. Furthermore, you can contact a car seat specialist to assist with the installation.

How to avoid accidents with a child in a car 

• Rearward travelling is the safest means of transporting a child under the age of 4 years.
• When choosing a car seat for your child, safety is of utmost importance. However, the comfort of the seat is also as important, as a child who is content in their car seat, is a happy child. This makes the journey pleasant and does not distract the parent from following the rules of the road.

How to position the car seat for maximum security 

• The safest place for your car seat is the rear middle seat due to its maximum distance from passenger-side airbags and any potential impact.
• Rear Passenger: Consumers often prefer this location, away from the most common side of impact, the rear passenger seat offers the advantage of giving you easy access to your child, with the restraint often being on the pavement side of the vehicle, away from the flow of traffic.
• Front Passenger: We recommend you stick to the rear seat, but if you do have to put your baby in the front passenger seat, always make sure t the front airbags are deactivated. A child under the age of 12 years should never be positioned in a seat with a passenger airbag. Being in the front should be used as a last resort, due to the higher risk of distraction to the driver as well as being in proximity to the most common side of impact. 

OFM News/Casey-Lee Anthony dg