Shocking Truths About Car Seat Safety

Ok, so we all know the importance of car seats, I am sure you are sitting there safe in the knowledge that you have the very best car seat for your little one. But did you know that almost a third of parents admit to taking a journey without using a child seat?

Britax have released new research showing that 15 per cent of parents confess to having taken a child on a journey without a valid car seat on multiple occasions. One in ten parents also admit to having their child on their lap for journeys- 9 per cent of these said it was because they didn’t know how to fit their seat! Shocking isn’t it?

Other findings included:

• 23 per cent of those surveyed said they didn’t use a car seat because they were “only going on a short journey”.
• 26 per cent of parents say they have broken the speed limit with their children in the car.
• Another 26 per cent of UK parents admit to eating whilst driving with children in the car- meaning they’re not wholly focused on the road ahead

As a mum of two, there have been times when I have been without a car seat and the easy option would have been to have the girls on my lap. However, common sense prevailed and I have rearranged plans or walked somewhere instead. I have also made use of car seat fitting services if I am not sure how a seat should be fitted- my girls are my biggest priority.

One of the biggest confusions I have faced regarding car seats has been when to move the girls up to the next size. I am not alone, with one in seven parents admitting it confuses them too.

Jan James, CEO of Good Egg Safety, which provides safety advice for families in the UK said:

The fact that so little time and money is currently being invested in choosing the right seat also suggests that parents simply do not realise that some seats will not fit their car/child and in that instance their most precious passenger – their son or daughter – is at risk of serious injury or worse.

Something that shocked me most was the fact that 67 per cent of European parents also admit they spend more money on their mobile phones or tablets than their child’s car seat, with almost one in seven spending under £50 on a car seat. I spent so long researching different seats and made sure the one we picked was suitable for our car. What is the point in choosing a seat that offers no protection whatsoever? We might as well throw the kids in the back seat like the old days!

Paul Gustavsson, CEO Britax Group Limited said:

This is often due to parents being left baffled by the huge product choice or the complexity of legal guidelines, indicating a need for the entire industry to collectively come together to do make safety simpler. The State of Safety Report clearly shows where we need to help explain, remind and guide to help parents cut out seemingly small risks that could have a monumental and heart breaking impact on their lives.

If you are confused about your child’s car seat, whether they need to be in the next size up or maybe you are about to buy a seat and are not sure which one will fit your car, head over to the Britax website and use their Fit Finder tool to check compatibility.

Have you had your seat checked?