Child Car Seats
Child car seats are not only essential for ensuring the safety of young passengers; they are also required by law. The process of selecting the appropriate car seat is crucial and should be based on the child’s weight, height, and age to ensure it meets all safety requirements and offers optimal protection.
Different Types of Seats
When it comes to keeping your child safe on the road, choosing the right car seat is crucial. Different stages of growth require different seat types, each designed to provide optimal protection and support for your little one. Below is a concise guide outlining various car seat categories, their corresponding weight ranges, and recommended ages, ensuring you can select the safest and most suitable option for your child.
| Seat Type | Weight Range | Age Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Infant seat (Group 0+) |
Up to 13kgs |
Birth to 12 months |
|
Infant/Child seat (Group 0 to 1) |
Up to 18kgs |
Birth to 4 years |
|
Child Seats (Group 1) |
9kgs – 18kgs |
9 months – 4 years |
|
Booster Seats (Group 2) |
15kgs – 25kgs |
4 years – 6 years |
|
Booster Cushion (Group 3) |
22kgs – 36kgs |
6 years – 11 years |
Key Considerations
- Compatibility: Check that the car seat fits securely in your car by testing it or consulting your car's manual. Look for features such as ISOFIX or LATCH anchor compatibility if your vehicle supports these systems. Additionally, ensure the seatbelt routing works with the seat's design if anchors are not available
- Seat Fit: Ensure that at least 70% of the car seat base is in firm contact with your vehicle’s seat to maintain stability and safety. Avoid any overhang exceeding 10%, as this could compromise the seat’s effectiveness during a collision
- Seat Belts: Confirm that your vehicle’s seatbelt is long enough to properly secure the car seat without forcing or stretching. Avoid buckle crunch, where the seatbelt buckle lies against the car seat frame, as this weakens the system in an impact
- Support Legs: If the car seat uses a support leg, ensure it rests on a solid surface for stability. Do not place the leg on a floor storage compartment unless it has been properly reinforced, as unreinforced compartments may collapse under stress
Example of a well installed car seat
Example of a well installed car seat
General Advice
- Always follow the car seat's manual for installation
- Children should remain in rear-facing seats as long as possible for maximum safety, ideally up to 4 years old
- Deactivate the front airbag if placing a rear-facing seat in the front of the car
-
Ensure the seat’s harness is properly adjusted to fit snugly around the child, without bulky clothing
-
Avoid second-hand car seats as they may not meet current safety standards or could be damaged
Legal Requirements and Exemptions
Under Jersey law, children must be appropriately secured in a vehicle to ensure their safety:
- Children under 3 years old: Must use an appropriate child restraint
- Children aged 3 to 11 years: Should use a child restraint if available, if a child restraint is not available, they must wear an adult seat belt
- Children aged 12 years or older or over 135cm tall: Must wear an adult seat belt
Children are exempt from using a car seat or seat belt under specific circumstances, such as medical exemptions, disabilities, or if traveling in certain vehicles without available restraints. For more information on this, please click here.