Child car seat safety saves lives!

Recent research shows that 65 per cent of child car seats are not properly fitted. That’s why Child Seat Safety and BCP Council’s Road Safety have teamed up to educate parents about how to transport their children, grandchildren and friends safely.

Seat belts the Law:

1. You must wear a seat belt where one is fitted.

2. The driver is liable to prosecution if a child aged under 14 years doesn’t wear an appropriate seatbelt which, for children aged under 12 years and shorter than 135 centimetres in height, means the correct child restraint.

3. A child may wear an adult seatbelt when they reach 135 centimetres in height or the age of 12 years old (whichever is reached first).

4. The law in respect of cars, vans and goods vehicles is summarised in this link.

Top Tips before you buy:

1. Avoid 2nd hand car seats, you can’t be sure of their history.

2. Research and Prioritise Safety. All seats must pass minimum standards of safety some manufacturers test way beyond these standards.

3. Get independent advice from Child Seat Safety or from BCP Council Road Safety Team who have IOSH accreditation or can direct you to someone who is experienced.

At the point of sale:

4. Ask for the car seat expert in store to serve you and ask what qualifications they have. If they are IOSH approved in Child Seat Safety Awareness they should be able to provide you with their accreditation number.

5. If they aren’t available ask for an appointment.

6. Where possible make sure your IOSH expert shows you how to fit the seat in your car. This avoids confusion and should give you confidence to fit the seat correctly yourself.

7. Don’t worry if you haven’t done this, please visit us at one of our Car seat fitting clinics in Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch, to get your car seat checked.

You can get your child’s car seat checked by child seat safety experts at a free event on 14 June in Poole, 15 June in Bournemouth and 17 June in Christchurch.

READ MORE IN OUR LATEST ISSUE OR VISIT https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/childcarseat FOR MORE INFORMATION.