Correct Use of Seatbelts and Child Car Seats Presented by:

Carrying Children Safely The safest way to carry a child is in a car seat that is suitable for their weight and size –In a 30mph crash an unrestrained child can be thrown about with a force between 30 and 60 times their body weight –It is not safe for an adult to carry a child on their lap. The child could be crushed or torn from the adults grip

The Law Children up to 3 years –Front seat: Must use correct rear-facing child restraint. Illegal to use front seat if a passenger airbag is fitted –Rear seat: Must use correct rear-facing seat –In a licensed vehicle or taxi if a restraint is not available the child can travel in the rear unrestrained –It is the drivers responsibility to ensure the child is restrained

The Law Aged or 135cm tall –Front seat: Must use the correct restraint –Rear seat: Must use the correct restraint 3 exceptions to rule, child must use adult belt –In a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle –Journey is short and necessary –Two fitted child restraints prevent a third being used The driver is responsible to ensure restraint is used

The Law Aged (over 1.35metres tall) –Front seat: Adult must be worn –Rear seat: Adult belt must be worn Driver is responsible to ensure child is restrained Aged 14+ –Must use adult belt in front and rear Passenger is responsible for using restraint

Public Vehicles Buses used for public travel do not have seatbelts because of construction and they are designed to transport standing passengers Taxi’s and private hire vehicles. If a baby seat is not available the child must travel unrestrained in the rear. Older children must use adult belt

Public Vehicles Coaches and minibuses carrying groups of children on organised trips must provide a lap belt or a 3 point belt. By law all coaches and minibuses manufactured or first used on or after 1 st October 2001 must be fitted with seat belts

Types of Child Seats An appropriate child seat must –Meet United Nations standard ECE Regulation R44.03 or R44.04 –Is correct for the child’s size and weight –Be fitted correctly according to the manufacturers instructions

Types of Child Seats Car seats are divided into categories. –Stage 1: Groups 0 and 0+ –Stage 2: Group 1 –Stage 3: Group 2 –Stage 4: Group 3

Types of Child Seats Rearward facing baby seats –Group 0: babies up to 10 kgs (22 lbs) roughly birth to 6-9 months –Group 0+: babies up to 13kg (29lbs) roughly birth to months Use in front or rear, rear is safer Do not use in cars with front passenger airbags Provide greater protection for babies head, neck and spine. Advisable to use these for as long as possible

Types of Child Seats Forward facing child seat –Group 1: children weighing 9-18 kgs (20-40 lbs) roughly from 9 months - 4 years. Can be used in front or rear These should have an integral harness. Large area of harness helps to reduce risk of injury Attachment between legs will stop child sliding out

Types of Child Seats Booster Seats and Booster Cushions –Group 2: children weighing kgs ( lbs) roughly 4 to 6 years –Group 3: children weighing kgs ( lbs) roughly from years. Booster seats are now produced to fit in both groups 2 and 3. They have a detachable back when the child has outgrown the back rest

Types of Child Seats Booster seats do not have an integral harness. The adult belt should be adjusted correctly –the belt should be worn as tight as possible –the lap belt should go over the pelvic region, not the stomach –the diagonal strap should rest over the shoulder, not the neck

Conclusion Child seats are the safest way for children to travel Use the correct restraint for the child’s size and weight Child must always be restrained. Except babies under 3 years in a taxi if restraint is not available