A study for What Car has highlighted that more than eight in ten drivers are putting their child's safety at risk by failing to correctly fit child car seats.
Car seat facts
- Children must normally use a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.
- Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt.
- You can choose a child car seat based on your child’s height or weight.
The study, by What Car in association Leicestershire Police and Child Safety Ltd, found only 15 per cent of seats were suitable.
Roadside tests were carried out and of 85 seats, only 13 were appropriate and fitted correctly.
The most common issue found was with non isofix seats where the harness or seatbelt restraining the seat was too loose, twisted or incorrectly positioned.
The advice that came out of this study was that parents and guardians of children seek advice when purchasing a car seat for their child, both in terms of ensuring that seat is suitable for the child and that the seat is fitted correctly. When you change you car, in the event of getting a new lease car, for example, you should review how your car seat is fitted.
Speak to the sales people in store when purchasing your car seat and this website offers some excellent tips. http://childseatsafety.co.uk