The Law
The law states that all children travelling in a car must use the correct child restraint until they are either 135cm or they are 12 years of age whichever happens first. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that all children under the age of 14 are restrained in the vehicle correctly in accordance with the law.
More details regarding child safety seat laws can be found here.
Choosing the correct seat
It is important to select the correct style of seat suitable for your child's weight and height. All babies should be in a group 0+ car seat that is rearward facing. Once your child weighs at least 9kgs and can sit unaided, they can then be safely installed in a forward facing car seat. If your child exceeds the maximum weight for a rearward facing seat or if their head is above the top of the seat, they need to be moved in to a forward facing seat (Group 1) as soon as possible.
When your child reaches 4 years of age or approx. 15kgs, they can be moved onto the next stage of seat (Group 2) which is also known as a 'booster seat'. The booster seats do not have a harness to restrain the child as they use the vehicles standard 3 point safety belt, all booster seats currently available are now suitable for children up to 12 years of age (Group 2/3) which eliminates the need to buy another seat as the child grows.
Here is a simple table to help you choose the correct type of car seat for your child:
| Age Of Child | Type Of Child Restraint | Approx. Weight Of Child |
| Birth to 12/15 months | Rearward facing baby seat | Group 0+ (up to 13kgs) |
| 9 months to 4 years | Forward facing child seat | Group 1 (9 to 18 kgs) |
| 4 to 11 years | High Back Booster Seat | Group 2/3 (15 to 36kgs) |
| 6 to 11 years | Booster Cushion | Group 3 (22 to 36kgs) |
Always try to fit child car seats in the rear of the vehicle, car seats can be fitted on the front passenger seat where necessary. Never fit a rearward facing seat in the front of a car when a front airbag is installed - even if the airbag can be disabled it still advisable not to fit the seat in the front.
It is essential that you read and follow the manufacturers instructions on fitting the seat carefully, if your seat does not have any instructions it is advisable to contact the manufacturer to obtain a copy or visit their website for help. When fitting the seat, ensure that the seatbelt passes through the various belt guides on the seat following any arrows or diagrams attached to seat to help you. Push your wieght into the car seat as you tighten the belts to ensure a secure holding of the seat, there should be hardly any movement in the seat when installed correctly. The seat belt buckle should not be resting on any part of the seat frame (this is known as buckle crunch).
If you have any doubt that you have fitted the car seat correctly , you should seek advice and get someone to check the seat for you. Most retailers will install or check car seats for customers.
If a forward facing car seat is to be used in the front of a car then it is advisable to move the passenger seat as far back as possible to ensure the child is as far away from the dashboard as possible.
Every car seat should be checked upon re-installation to ensure a secure fit, even if the car seat is permenantly fixed in the car it should be checked on a regular basis to check it is still secure.
Note: Not all child safety seats are compatible with all vehicles, it is advisable to check that car seat manufacturer's website lists your vehicle as compatible. Alternatively you can ask your retailer who will have experience of fitting car seats in a large range of vehicles and will be able to advise you on the best choice of car seat.
Securing your child
When securing your child into their car seat you should make sure the harness is correctly adjusted, only one or two fingers should fit between the child's chest and the harness. Booster seats or cushions use the adult seatbelt as a the restraint and this should rest over the child's shoulder and should be clear of the neck, the lap portion of the belt should go across the hip bones.
Baby Car Seats
Children's Car Seats
Group 0+ Car Seats
Group 1 Car Seats
Group 123 Car Seats
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