Toddler Car Seats
This seat covers a weight range from 9kgs to 18kgs this is from around 1 year to around 4 years.
But it is weight not age that determines when this seat should be used.
These seats are fitted forward facing preferably in the rear seats of the car and will be covered by the ECE 44 regulation.
The seats could be attached to the car by the use of the car's seat belts, carefully following the routing instructions given by the manufacturer for that particular child seat.
Alternatively the seat could be attached by Isofix fittings that could be already be fitted to your vehicle. Check first that your car has these Isofix fittings.
The Isofix system does make fitting and removing the seat much easier, but the seat or seat and base will be much heavier.
The seats will have a recline action for your child's comfort and will usually be fitted with a five point harness.
It is not recommended to fit a child seat in the front of a car with an active air bag fitted.
It is recommended to check the compatibility of any child car seat with your vehicle
Please Note - Not ALL child car seats fit ALL cars.
Fitting a Car Seat
When fitting a child seat it should be secure with no forward movement.
Seats in this group have a five point harness and it important to tighten this tight, ideally just two fingers sliding between your toddlers shoulder and the harness. The harness will need to be adjusted in height as the child grows - too low and the toddler will easily be able to remove their arms from the harness.
Another option available is a group 1 and 2 this child car seat will be useable from around 4 years to 12 years or 135cms as is required by the new car seat law.
These seats will either use the car's seat belts to secure the child into the seat but with the inertia belt in a locked position until 15kgs after which the seat belt is set in a free running mode until 36kgs around 12 years.
Others will have a five point harness for use up to 18kgs after which time the harness is removed and the seat continues to extend until 135cms or 12 years using the car's seat belt.
