Keeping Children Safe in the Car: A Parent’s Guide to Car Seat Safety

Whether you are making the school run, travelling to the shops or heading off on a family adventure, car safety is an important part of keeping our children safe.

Car seats are designed to protect children in the event of a collision, but choosing the right seat, fitting it correctly and using it properly every time are all essential. A correctly fitted child car seat can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury.

Here is our guide to some of the key things parents and carers should consider.

Choose the right car seat

Children are not simply smaller versions of adults. Their heads, necks, bones and bodies are still developing, so they need appropriate protection when travelling in a vehicle.

Choose a car seat that is appropriate for your child's height and/or weight, depending on the type of seat and approval standard.

In the UK, children generally need to use an appropriate child restraint until they are 135cm tall or reach 12 years old, whichever comes first. After this, they must use an adult seat belt.

Always check the manufacturer's instructions and the limits of your particular seat.

Rear-facing for longer

For babies and young children, rear-facing travel provides greater protection for the head, neck and spine in a collision.

Where possible, keeping a child rear-facing for as long as their seat allows can provide additional protection. Extended rear-facing seats are available that allow children to remain rear-facing beyond the stage of a traditional infant carrier.

Don't feel pressured to turn your child forward-facing simply because they appear older or because they would like to see out of the front window.

Check the car seat is fitted correctly

Even the best car seat cannot provide the protection it is designed to provide if it isn't fitted correctly.

Always:

• Read the manufacturer's fitting instructions.

• Check that the seat is compatible with your vehicle.

• Make sure the seat is securely fitted.

• Follow the correct belt routing if using the vehicle's seat belt.

• Check ISOFIX indicators where applicable.

• Recheck the fitting regularly.

• Refit the seat carefully every time it has been removed.

If you are unsure whether your seat has been fitted correctly, seek advice from a qualified child car seat fitter.

Harnesses and straps need to be snug

Before setting off, check that your child's harness or seat belt is positioned correctly and is secure and snug.

Avoid bulky coats underneath the harness, as these can create extra space between the child and the harness in a collision. Instead, secure the harness first and place a blanket or coat over the top if your child needs extra warmth.

Always follow the specific instructions supplied with your car seat.

⚠️ Never use a rear-facing seat with an active airbag

A rear-facing child car seat must never be placed in a front passenger seat with an active airbag. An inflating airbag can strike the back of the child seat with considerable force and cause serious injury.

The rear seats are generally the safer place for children to travel.

Don't assume every car seat fits every car

A car seat that fits one vehicle may not necessarily fit another.

If you are buying a new seat, check:

Does it fit my child?Does it fit my car?Can it be installed correctly?Will it fit any other vehicles my child regularly travels in?

This is particularly important if grandparents, other family members or childcare providers sometimes transport your child.

Be careful with second-hand car seats

A second-hand car seat may seem like a great way to save money, but you need to know its history.

You should be confident that:

• It has never been involved in a collision.

• It has not been damaged.

• You have the manufacturer's instructions.

• You know its age and history.

• It has not been recalled.

• It complies with the appropriate safety requirements.

If you cannot establish the history or condition of a second-hand seat, it is safer to choose another option. RoSPA also recommends replacing a child seat following a collision.

What about short journeys?

There is no such thing as “just a quick journey” when it comes to car safety.

Many journeys with young children are short — the nursery run, popping to the shops or visiting family — but a collision can happen at any time.

Make securing your child correctly part of your routine every single time you travel.

What about taxis and other people's cars?

If your child regularly travels in another person's car, make sure everyone understands how the car seat should be used.

The rules can differ for taxis, minicabs, minibuses and unexpected journeys, so parents should familiarise themselves with the current requirements.

Where possible, planning ahead and ensuring the correct child restraint is available is the safest option.

Our simple car-seat checklist

Before every journey, ask yourself:

☑️ Is this the correct seat for my child's size?

☑️ Is the seat fitted securely?

☑️ Is the harness or seat belt correctly positioned?

☑️ Is it snug enough?

☑️ Is my child sitting correctly in the seat?

☑️ Is the seat suitable for this particular vehicle?

☑️ If rear-facing, is there an active front passenger airbag?

☑️ Have I removed bulky clothing from underneath the harness?

☑️ Is everyone in the vehicle properly restrained?

❤️ A little preparation can make a big difference

Car journeys are such a normal part of family life that it can be easy to become complacent. Taking a few extra moments to check your child's seat, harness and positioning can help ensure that every journey starts as safely as possible.

At Lillybrook, we encourage families to talk to children about road and travel safety from an early age. Simple conversations such as “We always wear our seat belt in the car” help children understand that safety routines are an important part of everyday life.

Safe journeys start before the car even moves. 🚗❤️

This information is intended as general guidance and does not replace the manufacturer's instructions or professional car-seat fitting advice. For current UK requirements and detailed fitting guidance, parents can refer to GOV.UK's child car seat guidance and RoSPA's Child Car Seats guidance.