Types of child restraints

Where do you start when they are over 200+ varieties of car restraints available on the market?

First and foremost is to ensure that whichever car restraint you decide on adheres to the AS/NZS 1754 standard in Australia.

The choice after that really depends on your individual needs, your car, your budget as to which one bests suit you.

Purchasing a more economical model does not mean you are compromising on safety.

All car restraints sold in Australia must meet Australian Standards.

All children must be safely fastened in the correct child car seat for their age and size. This is according to the National Law.

The National Law came into effect in 2010.

The introduction of this law saw a change from the previous weight requirement to a age and height requirement as the progression through the car restraints.

All children up to seven years of age must be safely fastened into the right restraint for their age and size, not their weight.

To maintain the safety of the seat, provide sound protection and prevent and/or reduce any potential hazards a child restraint needs to be correctly fitted.

The correct type of restraint used for the child’s age.

There are many varieties of child restraints, however, they will generally fall into the following categories.

• Where possible position your child in the rear centre position. This position offers protection from side impact.
• Do not use a child restraint in the front passenger seat especially where there is an airbag.
• A tear or fray as small as 5 mm is a weak point in the harnessing.
• Check tethering for mould. Little black spots indicate mould is rotting the webbing at these points.
• Adjust harness straps as child grows. The shoulder straps must be in the slots which are nearest to the child’s shoulder and not lower than the child’s shoulders. The correct crotch strap position should be in line with the child’s crotch to prevent slipping.

• Only buy a model that carries the Standards Australia mark.
• Make sure that the seat is installed correctly. Refer to the instruction manual if installing it yourself. There are approved car seat installation places if you are in doubt or wish to have it installed professionally.
• There are many child restraints on the market. Research what car restraint suit your needs, budget and your car. Some models fit better or don’t fit at all into some cars.
• If you buy a second hand model remember the law. Don’t compromise on safety. Make sure it hasn’t been in an accident. All car seat should be replaced if involved in an accident- ask the seller questions to make sure and check there are no cracks, etc. Only purchase a seat in good condition.
• You also can hire car restraints – places such as a hospital, Kidsafe (www.kidsafe.com.au), baby hire shops, etc. This is really only recommended for the short term.
• Overseas child restraints cannot be used in Australia as they do not have the Australian Standards tick and do not comply with Australian regulations.
• You cannot use a child restraint with a lap seat belt. You must use a lap sash seat belt unless using a H harness with the lap seat belt.
• If your child is too small to move into the next level of restraint keep your child in the lower level of child restraint for as long as necessary. For example if your child can according to age move to the booster seat but is too small they should remain in the forward facing child restraint. Similarly a child may be too large for the seat considered appropriate for their age. In this instance the child can be moved up to the next level of child restraint. An example of a child being too big for their current seat would be when the level of the child’s eyes is above the level of the back of the booster seat or their shoulders reach the upper should height marker.
• Do not move a child to the next level of child restraint if they are not of the age or height.
• Some booster seat cushions do comply with the Australian standards. Full booster seats provide a higher level of safety than booster cushions for the child.
• Don’t buy a car restraint that is too well used and has visible signs of wear and tear especially on the harness and the straps or if any part is broken or the buckles are loose or don’t work well. Check the date stamped in the plastic mould on the back of the restraint.  (Current applicable standards is AS/NZ 1754:2010).

Costs of car restraints varies depending upon the make, the model, the brand.

Here is a rough ball park guide:

• Baby capsule: $350 to $600
• Car seat: $250 to $500
• Convertible car seat: $300 to $600
• Booster seat: $150 to $350