Child Seats

Did you know:

•  In a recent Car Seat safety event held at Basingstoke Fire Station, only 6% of seats checked were fitted correctly.
•  It is the law that all children up to 135cm tall (around 4'5"), or the age of 12, whichever comes first, in the front or rear seats in cars, vans and other vehicles must travel in the correct child restraint for their weight.
•  As  a driver you could face a fine of up to £500 for failing to ensure that a child passenger is using the  appropriate restraint.
•  In addition to the legal penalties this could affect any claims against your motor insurance cover.

Child seats come in 3 categories/groups:
 
Rearward-facing Baby Seat:
Group 0: for babies up to 10 kgs (22 lbs) roughly from birth to 6 - 9 months.
Group 0+: for babies up to 13kg (29lbs) roughly from birth to 12 - 15 months
 
Forward-facing Child seat:
Group 1: for children weighing 9 - 18 kgs (20-40 lbs) roughly from 9 months - 4 years.
 
Booster seats and booster cushions:
Group 2: for children weighing 15 - 25 kgs (33-55 lbs) roughly 4 - 6 years.
Group 3: for children weighing 22 - 36 kgs (48-79 lbs) roughly from 6 - 11 years.
 
DO NOT put child seats in the front passenger seat if there is a passenger airbag!!
 
Useful contact points and further information:
RoSPA & THINK! car seat page: www.childcarseats.org.uk
 
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service homepage: www.hantsfire.gov.uk
Community Fire Safety Department: 023 8064 4000
Email: community.firesafety@hantsfire.gov.uk