Choosing a Carseat

It is extremely important that your child is secured safely in the correct child restraint. It has been proven time and time again that child carseats that are correctly fitted save lives. Always select a child seat approved to the Australian Standard.

Infant
Infant restraints are designed for babies up to 9kg and less than 70cm in length and have an inbuilt harness system. Before moving to a child seat,your child must be able to sit and easily hold their head upright – talk to your GP or Early Childhood Nurse if you need guidance. Never carry your child in your arms. In a crash you will not be able to hold onto your child.

Young children
Child seatsare designed for babies and toddlers who weigh from 9 to
18kgs. The restraint is held in place by the adult seat belt and the top tether strap. The seat faces forward and incorporates a six-point harness. You may be tempted to move your child into a booster seat when a new brother or sister comes along. This is not recommended.

Older children
For children between 14kg and 26kg abooster seat is needed to enable a child to use the adult seat belt. Boosters with high backs and sides provide support for a sleeping child. Make sure the sash part of the belt is on the child’s shoulder, not on the child’s neck or off the shoulder. Use a booster seat until your child’s eyes are level with the top of the back seat and only then can your child begin using an adult seat belt. Do not move your child out of a booster seat too early.

Convertible restraints can be used as both an infant restraint and a child seat, and in some cases as a booster seat. When used for a baby, it is designed for the baby to lie facing the back of the vehicle. Convertible restraints are attractive for parents and carers because they cater for a wider range of child ages and sizes.
However there are more things that can go wrong when using a convertible restraint because they have to try to perform two functions. This can result in them having to make compromises. Sometimes they are not significantly cheaper than buying two separate restraints.

Child harnesses are suitable for children 14 to 32kg. Child harnesses are designed to be used with a booster until your child grows out of it (at 26kg) and then without a booster until the child reaches 32kg.

Adult seat belts should be used when the child is too big for a booster seat. Do not put children in lap-only belts as they can cause severe or fatal abdominal injuries in a crash.


Installing the restraint
Read and follow all labels and instructions carefully when installing the restraint and securing your child.
If the instructions have been lost most child restraint manufacturers will mail out a copy on request.
The safest position to carry a child is the centre position of the rear seat. Where possible install your child restraint in this position, except in the case of a booster seat where a lap only seat belt is available.
Check that the top tether strap is firmly connected to the anchor point and adjusted every time the restraint is used.
Make sure there are no twists in any straps or belts, and that these are taut and firm, but not too tight and rigid.
Always keep the instructions that came with the restraint in the glove box. This will help if you need to adjust straps or fit the restraint again.

Getting a professional to install the restraint
Many parents/carers fit a child restraint into their car themselves believing that it is easy. However it is really a job that needs to be taught by an approved restraint fitter, or at least have the restraint checked before placing your child in the car.

For a small charge, a trained installer can fit your restraint or check it to ensure it is installed correctly.