Law regulations

Safety points

Baby seats: Did you know that 70% of baby seats are fitted incorrectly!

When fixing your Safety seat, remember if it wobbles, it’s not fitted correctly. The buckle should not come into contact with the metal or plastic frame of the seat. This could cause it to crack under the force of the impact. The harness should fit on the child comfortably tight. (You should be able to slide two fingers between the straps and the child). The buckle should be as low as possible, i.e. just above the hips. Its important to purchase a seat with a crotch strap, (some foreign seats are not fitted with these).

The best seats to buy are the ones with an integral harness that can be adjusted by pulling one strap. The seat should also have a good recline and have a locking clip for seat belt fixing (second stage seats).

Warning! Baby seats should not be used in the front of cars that have passenger air bags fitted.

Seat belts

When restraining your child, always check that the seat belt is on properly. The lap part of the cross diagonal belt should be pulled tight, as to prevent the child from "submarining". The red button of the stalk should be visible so if in an emergency, the seat belt can be released quickly. For older children, try to use third stage or booster seats. Make sure the webbing of the seat belt does not twist. This can be like a rope on a child if badly twisted. Finally only use your lap belt if you have to, lap belts are known to cause spinal and abdominal injuries. They can cause injury if used incorrectly. A lap belt should fit across the hips, on the lap and not across the stomach. It is better to use a lap belt than nothing at all. There is an alternative to lap belts which can be fitted, Seatbelt Service can fit a cross diagonal centre seat belt in 95% of cars on the road. This is a retractable seat belt which has a height adjuster which enables the belt to be used for adults or children.