Keeping them safe, on the move
Let Mothercare show you how to fit the child's car seat your purchase correctly. Having your child's car seat fitted safely is very important. At mothercare Harbourfront, Centrepoint, Plaza Singapura and Marina Square, one of our advisors will be happy to do a carseat fitting for you.
Before September 18th 2006, UK law allowed children over the age of 3 to travel without an appropriate restraint. As a result, 63% of parents stop using car seats by the time their child is 6, and 74% of 10-11 year olds travel without a car seat. (Source Department of Transport News Release
2004/2005.)
From September 18th 2006, legislation has been introduced that requires that every child must travel in the appropriate child restraint until that child reaches either 135cm in height or 12 years old, after which they are eligible to use just an adult seat belt. Using an adult seat belt before a child is sufficiently developed may put them at higher risk of internal injury, particularly if the belt does not fit properly across the pelvis.
Mothercare supports this move by offering an extensive range of highback booster seats designed for children right up to 36kg/79lbs (approx. 11 years).
Check if your car seat is fitted correctly:
1. Get the right seat for your child's weight A child that is either above or below the specified weight range for the car seat may prevent the seat from effectively protecting them in the event of an accident. It is critical that your child is in the right seat for their weight.
2. Make sure the car seat fits your car make sure the car seat fits your car 80% of car seats are fitted incorrectly!
3. Make sure YOU know how to fit your child's car seat One of our car seat advisers will be happy to check your chosen car seat fits your car and will instruct you on how to fit it properly.
4. What the jargon means side-impact protection (SI, SIPS, SPS) deeper side wings ensure optimum protection should your car be involved in a side-on collision seat-belt tensioning device helps you to tighten the seatbelt effectively IsofixT the new standard for car seat installation
5. Mothercare recommends...that babies are positioned rearward-facing for as long as possible. Rearward facing seats offer the best possible protection to the smaller baby. In the event of a frontal impact the rearward facing car seat supports your babies'
head and neck. Use a rearward seat until your baby reaches the maximum permissible weight and can sit up unaided.
NEVER position a child on a passenger seat fitted with a front airbag.
Airbags are designed to protect adults but can seriously injure or even kill a child.
that a 5-point harness is ALWAYS used up to 18kg/40lbs (approx. 4 yrs). Its tempting to move your child to a seat without a harness for convenience but a 5-point harness provides much better fit and protection that an adult seatbelt.
highback booster seats. Your child will fit a HBB much better than a vehicle's seat and will therefore be more effectively restrained and protected.
All our car seats are approved to United Nations Regulation ECE R44.03
infant carrier car seats
from birth up to 13kg/29lbs (birth to approx. 15 mths)
- rearward-facing seat
- baby is secured by the seat’s integral 3-point safety harness
- seat is secured in the car by the adult seat belt or the Isofix™ base (Isofix™ models only)
- lightweight, portable and with a carry handle, they’re called ‘infant carriers’ because you can remove baby from car without taking them out of their seat
combination car seats
from birth up to 18kg/40lbs (birth to approx. 4 yrs)
- use rearward-facing from birth to 10kg/22lbs or 13kg/29lbs depending on model - (approx. birth to 15 mths); then use forward-facing once your baby can sit up unaided, from 9kg/20lbs to 18kg/40lbs (very approx. 9 mths to 4 yrs)
- baby/toddler is secured by the seat’s integral 5-point safety harness
- * seat is secured in the car by the adult seat belt
forward-facing car seats
from 9kg/20lbs to 18kg/40lbs (approx. 9 mths to 4 yrs)
- forward-facing car seat
- baby/toddler is secured by the seat’s integral 5-point safety harness
- adjustable seating positions for greater comfort
- seat is secured in the car by the adult seat belt, or the Isofix™ clip system (Isofix™ models only)
highback booster seats with integral harnesses
from 9kg/20lbs to 36kg/79lbs (approx. 9 mths to 11 yrs)
- forward-facing seat
- baby/toddler/child is secured by the seat’s integral 5-point safety harness
- seat is secured in the car by the adult seat belt
highback boosters without harnesses and booster seats
from 15kg/33lbs to 36kg/70lbs (approx. 4 yrs to 11 yrs)
- forward-facing seat
- toddler/child and seat are secured in the car by the adult seat belt
- seat raises child to enable adult seat belt to fit more securely, safely and comfortably
- extra height also gives a better view, helping to relieve boredom/travel sickness
Isofix-compatible car seats
These can be found within most of our car seat categories. Isofix makes fitting a child car seat quick, simple, and safe. Isofix anchorage points are built into the car so an isofix-compatible car seat can be simply ‘plugged’ in.
Five questions to ask before you choose a car seat
1. Is portability important to me?
If you want to be able to carry your sleeping baby from car to house or supermarket trolley, go for an infant carrier (Group 0+). These have a handle and are usually lightweight, so they can be removed from the car and carried around, and used indoors as a rocker. You can buy as part of a travel system with the bonus that it snaps into your pushchair chassis.
These are good until your baby weighs 13kg (usually about 12 months old) but you'll find the baby carrier difficult to lift and manoeuvre after about six months.
2. Do I want a fixed carseat?
If so, you'll want a combination car seat (also called Group 0+/1). These are larger and costlier, but have a longer life than infant carriers, lasting from birth until your child is around 4 years old.
Like a toddler car seat, these stay strapped (or fixed) in the car, initially rear-facing, then swivelled to face the front when your child weighs 9kg or can sit unaided.
3. Shall I buy a secondhand car seat?
No! You can't be sure that it hasn't been in an accident because it may have suffered invisible damage. Even if you know the seat's history, wear and tear will mean that the belts may not be as tight as they should be.
4. Does my car have a passanger airbag?
If so, your baby must go in the back seat - inflated airbags can be lethal to babies. Some airbags can be disabled, but you need to check this with the manufacturer of your car. Side airbags are no problem.
5. Can someone else be driving my baby?
If a childminder or grandparent will be taking your baby out and about, you need to check the car seat will fit in their car too, and they need to practise fitting it. Portable (Group 0+) seats will fit most cars, but Group
+/1 may prove more tricky.
If you regularly use two cars, buy two seats. Otherwise, you can bet that car number one, complete with seat, will be zooming towards the horizon at precisely the time you need to strap your baby into car number two.
car safety checklist:
1. Always buy the right car seat for your child's weight
2. Replace the car seat as soon as your child grows out of it
3. Install the seat according to the manufacturer's instructions
4. Never use a car seat where an airbag is fitted.
5. Use the car seat for every car journey, however short.
6. Check that the car seat is firmly in position every time you use it.
7. Check the harness is firm. You should be able to get only two fingers between the straps and your child's chest.
8. Never buy a second hand car seat. There may be damage; not necessarily visible - that could put your child's life at risk.
9. If anyone else is driving your child around, make sure they know how to fit and use the car seat correctly.
10. Never leave your baby in the car unattended.
For more information visit:
RoSPA car seat video
Gurgle's video on fitting carseats for infants
Britax car seat fitting guide
Maxi-Cosi car seat fitting guide
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