Like raising a child, car seat fitting must be done with love. Fortunately, this guide will teach you how to fit a car seat in the fastest and safest way possible.
The Highway Code requires all children 12 years old and below or 135 centimetres tall to use a child car seat. It will keep them safe in the event of an automobile crash, capable of reducing injury and death by up to 90%.
So, ensuring you follow the installation instructions of your baby car seat fully will not only ensure the safety of your most precious cargo but also keep you in check with the law.
Let’s get to it!
How To Fit A Car Seat
Step 1: The real deal
Buy EU-approved seats only because they’re the only ones allowed in the UK, says The Code.
Check the label — height-based seats (also known as “i-Size”) must have ‘E’ encircled & ‘R129,’ while weight-based seats E’ & ‘ECE R44’
Step 2: Make sure it clicks
Not all child car seats fit all cars, but all new cars are mandated by law to have ISOFIX brackets.
Anchor the booster to the ISOFIX bracket, which will have an audible click upon successful connection. It only takes seconds for a proper car seat fitting because ISOFIX’ labels are easy to spot.
The brackets are usually at the base and back of car seats. No need to google “how to put car seat in a car” anymore because it’s so easy to do.
Step 3: Have a safer carvironment
Seatbelts were used to secure child car seats before ISOFIX’ arrival. Replacing the LATCH system and its integrated tethers, ISOFIX is instantaneous in “connecting” the baby seat to the car.
The current system can be improved by using both three-point and lap seatbelts alongside it. There’s even a tertiary anchor point where the fabric strap called the top tether can hold the seat in place.
To know if the car seat is compatible with the vehicle, consult the car’s & child seat’s manual first.
Knowing how to fit a baby car seat for your little ones requires knowledge of the different seat types, especially weight-based child car seats.
Secure all belongings inside the car because they can become projectiles in the event of an accident. If you’re planning on having the booster in the passenger seat, disable the airbags in front of it and opt for a rear-facing seat for maximum protection.
Where should a baby car seat be placed in the car? Check out our FAQs below for some common questions about seat locations.
Proper car seat fitting is crucial to a safe trip and also allows you to stay focused on the road without any doubts about the safety of your precious cargo. Get this right, and remember to make every road trip a memorable one!
FAQ
Where is the best baby car seat location in a car?
The best location for your baby’s car seat is on the back seats. If we’re talking statistically, the middle seat at the rear of the car is the safest place, although we know this isn’t always practical or feasible. Here, your baby will be out of the way of harm from any airbags that might have been set off during an accident.
If the middle seat doesn’t quite work out, then behind the passenger seat would be the next best place. The passenger side is the least likely side of impact during a collision, so tuck your little one away on this side of the back seats.
Can a baby car seat go in the front?
Baby seats can go in the front, but you would have to disengage the safety airbags. If the airbags are set off during an accident with a baby set in the front, the impact against the rear of the baby’s head can be very serious or fatal.
Its recommended to keep your little ones tucked away in the rear seats away from any airbags.
