Height-based seats are called “i-size” seats. You should be facing back until your child is over 15 months old. Your child can use a forward-facing child seat if they are over 15 months old. Seat belts only became legal in the UK in 1987 and, remarkably, laws requiring children to use special car seats were only introduced in 2006! For the little ones, a booster seat with high backrest is recommended. Child seats must be mounted with ISOFIX mounts or a shoulder belt. So when can you use a booster seat to transport your child? Here are the current laws you need to be aware of: Mr. Bennet said, “To ensure that a child of this size and weight class is protected and safe on the road, the most effective and safest method is to use a high-back recall. All children must travel in the rear seats (all seats behind the driver) if there is no child seat or adult seat belt. Second-hand seats are often cheap, but you don`t know their history and don`t know if they were involved in an accident that could have damaged them. There are two categories of seats, those manufactured according to the latest European standard ECE R129, known as i-Size, and based on the height of a child, and those manufactured according to the European standard ECE R44-04, these are based on weight. It wasn`t until the 1960s that child seats were considered – and even then, they were simple booster seats meant to give children a better view from the windows than to protect them in the event of an accident.
Experts have warned that backless booster seats are not safe, making them dangerous for young children. Minibus or bus drivers and businesses are not required to provide child seats. You will need to provide yours if you want to make sure a child has one. Rule 44 Child seats are weight-based with an age recommendation and are divided into five weight groups: Rear-facing child seats cannot be used in a seat protected by a front airbag unless the airbag has been deactivated. In the event of a side impact, a standard seat belt offers little protection to a child because it is not guided on the body like a booster seat. Children weighing more than 22 kg and tall over 125 cm can use a booster seat without a backrest. Only EU-approved child height seats can be used in the UK. These have a label with a capital “E” in a circle and “R129”. Child seats under Regulation 129 are based on length/height, have a minimum weight and are also known as i-size seats. Child seats approved under Regulation 129 will be phased in. In the first phase (which is already in force), manufacturers produce child-friendly child seats up to 105 cm – about four to four and a half years: since then, all babies must sit in a specially designed car seat from birth to a certain age or size.
This is required by law. If you fail to do so, you risk being fined £500. But, of course, the threat of a fine pales in comparison to the realities and consequences of an accident. The label indicates which standard the child seat meets – Regulation 44 or Regulation 129 (i-Size). Rule 44 Child seats are weight-based with an age recommendation. Child seats under Regulation 129 (or i-Size) are based on height/length and have a maximum weight. The label tells you the maximum weight or height/length of the child seat. New laws require children to travel in rear-facing car seats until they are 15 months old. Simple.
No matter what stage your child is in, you always want to keep them safe on the road by using a booster seat or a suitable car seat. However, the laws surrounding booster seats and car seats can sometimes be confusing, and it`s hard to know which one to use. To help you out, we`ve put together all the rules and regulations you need to know about when your child should use a booster seat. “We recommend that parents look for booster seats with high backrests with deep side protectors, head restraints and seat belt guides to ensure the best protection for their children.” There are some exceptions when a child is not required to use a car seat legally: The ROSPA website contains information and advice on choosing and using child seats. If you`d like to learn more about booster seats and car seats, check out our car seat buying guide. Once you`re ready to find your new seat, head to Halfords.com where you`ll find a wide range of seats, all from major brands. With so many car seats, it can be very confusing to choose the right one for your child. We recommend buying one from a store like Halfords or Mothercare and resisting the temptation to buy them online from an unknown source. Britax has also been urging parents to “get rid of” the reminder for several years. Booster seats lift a child`s body to an appropriate height so that it can be secured with an adult seat belt. Unlike child seats, they do not have their own fastening system and only use the seat belt to secure the child. Easy to use, there are two types of booster seats: All i-Size car seats are equipped with ISOFIX mounting points.
This means you can securely attach the car seat to your car without having to rely on seat belts. ISOFIX installation points are increasingly installed as standard in new cars. The driver must ensure that every child under 14 years of age wears a seat belt or the appropriate child restraint system. Any child restraint system used must comply with EU safety standards, which comply with Regulation 44.04 or Rule 129 (also known as i-size seats). Only EU-approved seats are legal in the UK: they will have a label with a capital “E” in a circle. Children are much more vulnerable than adults in a car, so taking the time to make sure you`re using the right child seat (restraint bar) or recall could save your child`s life. Drivers and passengers are more likely to be killed or seriously injured if they do not wear seat belts. Previously, children weighing only 15kg could use booster seats without backrests, but safety concerns led to a change in the law. From 1 March 2017, all booster seats without backrests will only be allowed for children weighing more than 22 kg or more than 125 cm. A child restraint system is the collective term for rear-facing child seats, forward-facing child seats, booster seats and booster seats. Believe it or not, seat belts didn`t become mandatory for rear passengers until 1987. What is even more remarkable is that it was not until 2006 that the use of child car seats became mandatory! Although these legal exceptions exist, we advise our clients not to take unnecessary risks.
Accidents also occur in taxis and buses. From 15 months, it is believed that your child`s neck is strong enough to withstand the effects of an accident more reasonably, and therefore forward-facing car seats can be used. However, we always recommend using rear-facing car seats for as long as possible. All car seats used in the UK must be approved by the EU. Look for a label with a capital “E” in a circle – this indicates that it complies with the latest regulations. Mark Bennett, European product expert for Britax, said: “The debate over child seat safety is a recurring issue in Europe, so it is not surprising that regulations are being updated positively, especially when it comes to seat cushions. The company launched the world`s first seat cushion in 1976, and in 1990 the Volvo 960 was launched with an integrated seat cushion. Manufacturers may only produce seat cushions approved in Group 3. This does not affect existing seat cushions in Group 2 and you can continue to use them. If you buy a child restraint, try it out in your car if possible before you buy it. Not all seats fit or fit your car.
If you plan to use your child seat in more than one car, it is important to check if it is suitable for other cars as well. Talk to the store`s sales representative, who will advise you and show you how to properly install the restraint system. It is important to note that the regulations apply to newly designed and manufactured booster seats sold after March 1. The old rules continue to apply to seats manufactured before that date. Section 129 replaces section 44. Until then, seats manufactured to both standards are safe and legal when used correctly. Manufacturers may use different names and some products may cover more than one weight or size, so it`s important to read the label. Many seating experts believe that it is better and safer to keep your child in the lowest group seat for as long as possible. This means that they will remain in their current stage seat until the maximum weight or height limit is reached. Because children grow and develop at different rates, it`s important to keep an eye on your child`s height and weight to make sure they don`t climb too early or too late.