Surveys often find that a high proportion of child seats are not correctly fitted, usually because of one or more of the following common problems.
* Child is Too Big or Too Small for the Seat
Child restraints are designed for children with specific weight ranges. If a child is too big for their child seat, it will not protect them properly and may even injure them in a crash. They will certainly be uncomfortable in the seat. If a child is too small, they may slip under the seat belt or harness ('submarine') and be thrown out in a crash, or the seat belt may injure them.
Solution
Make sure that your child is the right size and weight for the seat they are using. Do not be tempted to put a child in a restraint that is too big for them on the grounds that they will grow into it.
* Child Seat is Too Loose
One of the most common fitting mistakes is to leave the child seat held loosely by the seat belt. If it is not held securely, it will be thrown forwards in a crash and the child may be injured.
Solution
Make sure that the seat has been fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions. Check that the seat belt has been fitted through the correct route guides on the child seat and that it has been pulled tight. Many seats have a lock-off device to prevent the seat belt slipping once it has been tightened - make sure this is in the lock position.
Check that the child seat rests on the car seat properly.
Check with the child seat and car manufacturers that the child seat is suitable for your car. If not, use a different child seat (or car) that is compatible.
* Child Seat Does Not Rest Properly on Car Seat
The shape of car seats varies between different models. For instance, some rear seats curl up at the sides, the length of the cushion differs. And the size and shape of the base of child seats differ. Therefore, some child seats will not fit certain car models. If a child seat cannot rest properly on the car seat, it will be difficult to hold the child seat securely.
Solution
Check with the child seat and car manufacturers that the child seat is suitable for your car.
Try the child seat in other positions in the car to see if there is a better fit.
If not, use a different child seat (or car) that is compatible.
* Seat Belt Will Not Go Around Child Seat
The length of seat belts differ between cars. Generally, rearward-facing baby seats and 'two-way seats need longer seat belts than forward-facing child seats.
Solution
Check with the child seat and car manufacturers that the child seat is suitable for your car.
Try the child seat in other positions in the car to see if there is a better fit.
Some seats have an 'alternative belt route' that can be used when the belts are too short for normal installation.
If using the front seat, put the seat as far back as it will go.
In some cars, it is possible to adjust the height of the seat belt (on the door pillar) - try lowering the height adjuster if one is fitted.
If not, use a different child seat (or car) that is compatible.
* Seat Belt Anchor Points Badly Positioned
Sometimes the position or design of the seat belt anchor points make it difficult to fit a child seat securely. For instance, if the anchor point is too far forward, it may not be possible to hold a particular child seat firmly in the car seat. Or if the stalk of the seat belt clasp (the bit the buckle fits into) is too long or short, the buckle may rest against the child seat frame (see buckle crunch below).
Solution
Check with the child seat and car manufacturers that the child seat is suitable for your car.
Try the child seat in other positions in the car to see if there is a better fit.
If not, use a different child seat (or car) that is compatible.
* Buckle Crunch
If the seat belt buckle lies across the frame of the child seat it will be under pressure and may spring open in an impact. Only seatbelt webbing should be in contact with the frame of the child seat.
Solution
Make sure you have fitted the child seat according to the manufacturer's instructions and that the seat belt has been fitted through the correct route guides on the seat.
If the child seat has an 'alternative belt route' for use with shorter seats belts, see if this route avoids the buckle crunch.
If using the front seat, put the seat as far back as it will go.
In some cars, it is possible to adjust the height of the seat belt (on the door pillar) - try lowering the height adjuster if one is fitted.
Try the child seat in other positions in the car to see if there is a better fit.
Check with the child seat and car manufacturers that the child seat is suitable for your car. If not, use a different child seat (or car) that is compatible.
* Passenger Airbag in Front of Car
It is safer to put children, including babies, in the rear of the car. Some parents prefer to put babies in the front so they can keep an eye on them. However, it is very dangerous to put a rearward-facing baby seat in the front if there is an airbag fitted on the passenger side. The baby seat will be very close to the dashboard and if the airbag went off it would strike the baby seat with considerable force.
It is not as dangerous to fit forward-facing seats in the front when there is an airbag present (although it is still better to put them in the rear), but make sure that the car seat is as far back as possible and the child seat is securely held to maximise the distance between the child and the airbag.
Solution
Fit rearward facing baby seats in the rear of the car. If you feel (for medical reasons, for instance) that the baby needs to be constantly monitored, find an adult to sit with the baby.
If you must put a forward-facing seat in the front when there is an airbag present (make sure that the car seat is as far back as possible and the child seat is securely held to maximise the distance between the child and the airbag.
It may be possible to have the passenger airbag de-activated or removed, although this means that any adult passenger sitting in the front will no longer have the extra protection offered by the airbag. Check with the car manufacturer and follow their advice. You should also consult your insurance company before deactivating an airbag.
* Missing Instructions
Instructions for fitting and using child restraints are essential. Without them, it is difficult to be sure that the child seat has been correctly fitted.
Solution
Contact the manufacturer to obtain a replacement set of instructions. Some manufacturers publish the instructions on their website so they may be downloaded free of charge.
* Harness Does Not Fit My Child
Baby seats and child seats usually have an integral harness to hold the child in the seat. This should fit snugly, so that only one or two fingers can fit between the harness and the child's chest. If the harness is loose, the child could be thrown from the seat in a crash, or work their way out of the harness while you are driving. The harness buckle should not rest over the child's tummy. It is possible to raise the position of the top of the harness as a child grows.
Solution
Make sure the child seat has been fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions and that the harness is not twisted or tangled.
On many seats, it is possible to raise the position of the top of the harness as a child grows.
Clothing can affect how snugly the harness fits.
* Child Seat was in Car When I Had an Accident
A child car seat that was in a car that has been involved in an accident should be replaced, even if there is no visible damage. It is possible that it will have been weakened to such an extent that it will not provide the same level of protection in another accident. (The seat belts and seat belt attachments, especially one's that were in use at the time of the accident, should also be carefully checked to ensure that they have not been damaged).
Solution
Replace any child seat that was in a car at the time of an accident.
* Old, Second-hand Child Seats
It is usually not possible to be certain of the history of a second-hand child seat. It may have been involved in an accident and been seriously weakened - the damage may not be visible. Very often the instructions are missing from second-hand seats which makes it more difficult to be sure that you are fitting and using it correctly.
Second-hand seats are also likely to be older, to have suffered more wear and tear and may not be designed to current safety standards.
Solution
Only buy a new child seat. Prices range dramatically, and it is not necessary to buy the most expensive one. Ask your local Road Safety Department (part of your Council) whether they know of any child seat discount schemes.
If you feel you have no choice, but must use a second-hand seat, only accept one from a family member or friend (don't buy one from a second-hand shop or through the classified ads) and then only if you are absolutely certain that you know its history, it comes with the original instructions and it is not too old.
Before you agree to buy the seat:
- Examine it carefully for damage (but remember, not all damage to child seats is visible to the naked eye).
- Make sure the manufacturer's instructions are available.
- Make sure the seat is suitable for your child's weight and height.
- Try the seat in your car - if you cannot get it to fit securely, do not buy it.
- Check that the seat meets the United Nations standard Regulation 44.03 - look for the 'E' mark.
* Not Sure Which Child Seat is Best for Me
There is a very wide range of different child seats available. Unfortunately, they do not all fit into every type of car - some seats are incompatible with some cars.
Solution
The most important thing is to make sure that the seat you choose is suitable for your child and for your car (or cars, if you use the child seat in more than one car).
Look through the manufacturer's catalogues, on their websites or in shops to assess a range of seats. Choose a seat that is suitable for your child's height and weight.
Contact the child seat manufacturer to check if the seat will fit your car.
Try to find a retailer who will let you (or even better, help you) try the seat in your car before you buy it.
If you buy a child seat from a retailer who will not let you try it in advance, make sure that you can return the seat if it is not suitable, and replace it or get a refund.
Avoid buying a child seat by mail order, unless you are sure that it will fit your car.
Check that the seat meets the United Nations ECE Regulation 44.03 or 44.04 - look for the 'E' mark.
* Child Undoes Seat Belt or Harness
Some children go through a phase of constantly slipping out of the child seat harness or seat belt, or releasing the buckle, during journeys. This is extremely worrying for many parents and very frustrating - once a child has learnt how to do this, it is very difficult to stop them. The good news is that it seems usually to be a phase which they grow out of.
Solution
Here is a list of suggestions for preventing your child from escaping from their child seat during a journey.
* More Children in Car than Restraints
Sometimes, there are not enough seat belts or child restraints in a car for the number of passengers. This means that someone has to travel without using a child restraint or seat belt or someone has to be left behind.
Solution
By far the best solution is only carry the same number of passengers as there are seat belts and/or child restraints. Remember cars (with the exception of people carriers) are only designed to carry one passenger in the front and a maximum of three in the rear.
If you must carry a passenger for whom there is no seat belt, it is better for the heaviest passengers to wear a seat belt. Heavier passengers will cause more severe injuries to themselves and other people in the car if they are thrown about in a crash.
Last updated: January 12, 2012
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