As parents, our kids’ safety is always top of mind—and when it comes to keeping them safe in the car, choosing the right car seat and using it correctly is a must. With so much advice out there, it can be hard to know where to start. But don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through everything you need to know, in simple, easy-to-understand steps. Let's dive into the essentials of car seat safety!
Why Car Seats Expire: Don’t Use an Expired Seat
You might not know this, but car seats do expire! Most car seats are safe to use for around 10 years, but after that, they lose some of their strength and effectiveness in protecting your little one. Always check the expiry date (usually found on the side of the seat) and never use a car seat that’s older than 10 years; no matter how well it looks!
Car Seat Strap Position: Get It Right for Maximum Safety
The harness on your car seat is a crucial part of keeping your child safe. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- For Rear-Facing Seats: The harness straps should be at or just above your child’s shoulders.
- For Forward-Facing Seats: The harness should be at or just below your child’s shoulders. If the straps are too high or too low, your child might not be properly protected.
Proper Car Seat Installation: One of the Most Important Steps
A properly installed car seat is non-negotiable when it comes to keeping your child safe. Here’s what you need to do:
- Ensure the car seat is tightly secured- there should be no more than a 2.5cm movement when you pull the seat.
- If you’re using Isofix (the latch system), make sure the side indicators are green -this confirms it’s securely in place.
- Lastly, always check that the harness is snug. If you can pinch any slack near your child’s shoulders, tighten it up.
Rear-Facing Seats: The Safest Option for Your Baby
Rear-facing seats are the safest choice for babies and toddlers. Why? Because babies’ heads are heavy compared to their necks, and a rear-facing car seat helps to better support their head, neck, and spine in the event of an accident. Rear-facing seats reduce the forces on the neck, providing better protection -especially for those first few years.
When to Transition from Rear-Facing to Forward-Facing Seats
Experts recommend keeping your child rear-facing for as long as possible - ideally up to at least 4 years old. While Australian law only requires children to be rear-facing until 6 months, you’ll provide much better protection if you keep them in that position longer. Rear-facing seats provide better protection for your child’s fragile head and neck during a crash.
Booster Seats: When Should You Make the Switch?
Once your child outgrows their forward-facing seat (usually around age 4), they’re ready for a booster seat. But don’t rush! Make sure your child is comfortable and secure before switching. The Royal Children’s Hospital suggests keeping your child in a 5-point harness for as long as possible before moving to a booster. Typically, children need to be at least 4 years old and have outgrown the harnessed seat before transitioning.
The Five-Step Safety Test for Boosters:
- Can your child sit with their back flat against the vehicle seat?
- Do their knees bend comfortably over the edge of the seat?
- Does the seatbelt sit across the middle of their shoulder, not on the neck?
- Is the lap belt low across the hips, touching the thighs?
- Can your child stay seated like this for the entire car trip?
If your child passes all five steps, they’re ready for a booster seat.
Front Seat Safety: When Is It Safe for Your Child to Sit Up Front?
The safest place for children under 12 is always the back seat. Airbags can be dangerous for younger kids sitting in the front. If you absolutely must place your child in the front seat, ensure they’re in a booster seat, and the airbag is turned off if possible. And remember - back seats are always safer!
Car Seat Maintenance: Keep Your Seat in Tip-Top Condition
Regularly check your car seat to make sure it’s still in good condition:
- Look for any cracks or damage.
- Make sure the harness is intact and working properly.
- If the seat has been in an accident (even a minor one), it’s time to replace it.
If you’re not sure whether your seat is installed correctly or safe to use, don’t hesitate to get it professionally checked.
Second-Hand Car Seats: What to Know Before You Buy
Buying second-hand car seats can be tempting, but it’s important to be careful. Here’s what to check before purchasing:
- The seat should not have been in any accidents.
- It should not be older than 10 years.
- Ensure all parts and straps are intact, and the seatbelt is functioning properly.
- Verify that the seat complies with Australian/New Zealand standards (AS/NZS 1754).
If you’re uncertain about any of these factors, it’s best to buy new to ensure your child’s safety.
Avoid Extra Accessories: Stick to What’s Provided
It’s tempting to add accessories like cute head supports or seat protectors, but they can interfere with how your car seat works. Stick to the accessories that come with the seat and avoid adding anything that could affect its safety performance during an accident.
Car Seat Safety for Long Trips: How to Keep Your Baby Comfortable
Long car trips can be tough on babies, but they don’t have to be unsafe. Here’s how to keep your little one comfy and secure:
- Dress your baby in light, non-bulky clothing to ensure the harness fits correctly. The pinch test is a great way to ensure your little one’s straps are the perfect fit.
- Check your baby’s position frequently, ensuring their head isn’t slumped forward (which can restrict their airway).
- Never let your baby sleep in the car seat for long periods—ideally, they should only nap in their seat while the car is moving.
Why Rear-Facing Travel Is the Safest Option for Your Child
As parents, we all want the safest options for our children, especially when it comes to car travel. While Australian law allows parents to turn their child’s car seat to forward-facing at six months, experts like Maxi-Cosi recommend keeping your child rear-facing until they are at least 30 months, or as close to that as possible. Research shows that keeping your child rear-facing for longer provides superior protection, especially during a crash.
Why Facing Backwards is Better: In the event of a collision, a rear-facing car seat helps distribute the force of impact across the child’s whole back, significantly reducing stress on the neck and head, which are still developing in young children. This is especially crucial for babies, whose heads are proportionally larger and heavier compared to their bodies. If they were facing forward during an accident, their head could be thrown forward, causing potentially severe neck injuries. However, a rear-facing seat minimizes this risk by protecting their vulnerable head and neck.
The Science Behind Rear-Facing Travel: The concept of rear-facing travel isn’t just a modern-day safety feature; it has roots in pioneering research. In the 1960s, Professor Bertil Aldman noticed that astronauts faced the opposite direction of travel to help distribute the forces on their bodies during space missions. Since then, rear-facing travel has become a standard safety practice for young children.
Safety Benefits Until Age 4: While Australian Standards recommend rear-facing travel until at least 30 months, the safest option is to keep your child in a rear-facing seat until they are around four years old. By this age, their neck muscles and bones are better developed to handle the forces experienced during a collision.
What About Rear Impact Collisions? While rear-impact accidents are less common, the vast majority of accidents (around 70%) are frontal collisions, making rear-facing seats the best protection. In the case of a rear impact, the forces are less severe because the vehicle is colliding in the same direction, further reducing the risk to your child.
What to Do After a Car Accident: Keeping Your Child Safe
If you’re involved in a car accident, your immediate instinct might be to remove your child from their car seat. However, if it's safe to do so, keeping your child in their car seat can actually help prevent further injury. The car seat helps keep them calm and still, which is essential in a situation where spinal injuries or internal injuries may have occurred.
Why It's Important to Leave Your Child in Their Car Seat: After an accident, it's crucial to keep your child calm and immobilised. Car seats are designed to keep children securely fastened and can help prevent unnecessary movement, reducing the risk of aggravating any potential injuries. The familiar surroundings of the car seat can also provide comfort and distraction during an incredibly stressful situation.
What to Do if You Can't Keep Them in Their Car Seat: If it’s unsafe to keep your child in the car seat—due to the car being in a dangerous position, a risk of fire, or another immediate hazard—you should carefully remove them from the seat. The safest way to do this is to keep your child in the harness, unclip and remove the entire car seat with them still securely fastened. If necessary, cut the straps holding the seat in place to remove it from the vehicle.
Remember: Injuries May Not Be Visible: Even if your child seems “completely fine” after the crash, they could still have serious injuries. These can include brain trauma, head injuries, neck and spinal cord damage, back injuries, or internal bleeding, all of which may not be immediately apparent. Always seek medical attention after a car accident, even if your child appears to be unhurt, to ensure their safety and well-being.
Final Thoughts on Car Seat Safety
When it comes to car seat safety, there’s no such thing as being too careful. By following these expert tips, you can make sure your child is always as safe as possible while on the road. Whether it’s checking that your car seat is installed properly, ensuring your child is in the right seat for their age and size, or replacing a worn-out car seat, every step you take brings your little one one step closer to safety.
Drive safe, and remember: when it comes to car seat safety, you’ve got this!
